"The Coaster inventor" Rainer Perprunner first thought that the main purpose of this vehicle type could be a feeder transport into ski areas, meaning a purely tourist use. The idea was transporting skiers uphill, offering fun and emotions downhill. This "mental concept" started in light of the very pronounced trend to hedonism at the straight end of the 90's.

First rough concepts were developed, a feasibility study has been prepared. At this time different variants for the mountain transport of the Coaster were thinkable. A deeper look into that subject led to various visions. Technically "the self driver" was one issue, appropriate technologies have achieved a very promising stage of maturity. Despite many open questions it was decided to go along with this concept.

As administrative platform for the co-ordination of the different external partners as well as for the financing of the project the "Coaster Verkehrssysteme Vertriebs GmbH" was founded. Gradually partners for the different development projects came on board. The challenge was enormous, and remained it! That the own goals were very highly put, one knew. Making it more difficult the circumstance was added that one had to perform much clearing-up work as a startup company (world novelty Coaster).

The high investment demand and the fact that for many years no income was generated, did not facilitate the financing. In the first years all official requests for financial support were rejected for economic reasons! Nevertheless we succeeded to find investors to fund the project with over 6 million Euros.

Despite all skeptical arguments and after completion of various authority requirements the first part of the test track went in operation. With the prototype we were able to proof that the basic concept of the positive drive could be realized. For the completion of further development the test track was finished. It was followed by an approval in terms of safety for personal transport by Austrian authorities.

The first person trips could be accomplished. This was an important prerequisite for serious discussions with customers. It was the start for an enormous international press echo and led to big customer interest. The many, but above all application-oriented, very different inquiries of prospective customers, brought additionally an unexpected conclusion: the majority of inquiries was for urban and not alpine applications! This supported the decision to examine the total concept regarding its urban fitness. The requirements resulting from it were embodied in the concept "CityCoaster".

At the beginning of the year 2006 a sales contract was signed with a hotel operator in Arosa (Switzerland). This was at the same time the official market entry. The pilot application corresponded both in its technical complexity, and concerning the financial volume to the criteria of a first installation for clients. In addition the time and the geographical proximity (support with "teething troubles", with a pilot application this is most likely) contributed to the positive decision.

At the beginning of the winter season 2007/2008 substantial subsystems and safety devices of the world-wide first Coaster application in Arosa (Switzerland) had been approved by Swiss authorities. Consequently the Coaster has been put in operation.