An overhead transport system for transferring articles to and from a transfer position, comprising: at least a buffer (17, 18) for supporting the articles; a traveling rail for overhead transport vehicles (10; 10'), including at least a straight segment (11; 36) and at least a curved segment (12; 34) connected to said straight segment (11; 36); and the overhead transport vehicles (10; 10') for traveling on said traveling rail, being provided with a hoist for transferring articles to and from said buffer (17, 18); local transportation means (15,16), wherein said buffer (17, 18) is provided under said straight segment (11; 36) and said local transportation means (15, 16) are associated to said buffer (17, 18); wherein said local transportation means (15, 16) comprise: traveling rail means for a local vehicle, provided below said traveling rail for the overhead transport vehicles (10; 10'), having one end under said straight segment (11; 36), extending from said one end, passing over a transfer position at a ground side, and further extending to another end outside an area under said straight segment (11; 36); and at least one local vehicle, traveling on said traveling rail means for the local vehicle, provided with a hoist, and for transferring the articles between said transfer position at the ground side and said buffer (17, 18); wherein said overhead transport system is characterized in that: said traveling rail means is a traveling rail for the local vehicle which is provided below said traveling rail for the overhead transport vehicles (10; 10') and above said buffer (17, 18), so that said buffer (17, 18) is provided under said straight segment (11; 36) and also under said traveling rail for the local vehicle, said traveling rail for the local vehicle having a first end and a second end and extending between the first end being located under said straight segment (11; 36) and a second end being located outside an area under said straight segment (11; 36) and allowing the articles to pass upward and downward, wherein said traveling rail for the local vehicle extends at one vertical level straightly from said first end to said second end, parallelly to an extended line of said straight segment (11; 36) and passing over said transfer position at said ground side, wherein said transfer position is located outside an area under said buffer (17, 18). at least a buffer (17, 18) for supporting the articles; a traveling rail for overhead transport vehicles (10; 10'), including at least a straight segment (11; 36) and at least a curved segment (12; 34) connected to said straight segment (11; 36); and the overhead transport vehicles (10; 10') for traveling on said traveling rail, being provided with a hoist for transferring articles to and from said buffer (17, 18); local transportation means (15,16), wherein said buffer (17, 18) is provided under said straight segment (11; 36) and said local transportation means (15, 16) are associated to said buffer (17, 18); wherein said local transportation means (15, 16) comprise: traveling rail means for a local vehicle, provided below said traveling rail for the overhead transport vehicles (10; 10'), having one end under said straight segment (11; 36), extending from said one end, passing over a transfer position at a ground side, and further extending to another end outside an area under said straight segment (11; 36); and at least one local vehicle, traveling on said traveling rail means for the local vehicle, provided with a hoist, and for transferring the articles between said transfer position at the ground side and said buffer (17, 18); traveling rail means for a local vehicle, provided below said traveling rail for the overhead transport vehicles (10; 10'), having one end under said straight segment (11; 36), extending from said one end, passing over a transfer position at a ground side, and further extending to another end outside an area under said straight segment (11; 36); and at least one local vehicle, traveling on said traveling rail means for the local vehicle, provided with a hoist, and for transferring the articles between said transfer position at the ground side and said buffer (17, 18); wherein said overhead transport system is characterized in that: said traveling rail means is a traveling rail for the local vehicle which is provided below said traveling rail for the overhead transport vehicles (10; 10') and above said buffer (17, 18), so that said buffer (17, 18) is provided under said straight segment (11; 36) and also under said traveling rail for the local vehicle, said traveling rail for the local vehicle having a first end and a second end and extending between the first end being located under said straight segment (11; 36) and a second end being located outside an area under said straight segment (11; 36) and allowing the articles to pass upward and downward, wherein said traveling rail for the local vehicle extends at one vertical level straightly from said first end to said second end, parallelly to an extended line of said straight segment (11; 36) and passing over said transfer position at said ground side, wherein said transfer position is located outside an area under said buffer (17, 18).