The invention relates to a method for operating an elevator system (1) having a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), which can be moved individually between a plurality of floors, wherein in one elevator shaft (3, 4) of the elevator system (1), a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) can be moved simultaneously. In doing so, a predetermined travel route is assigned to an elevator car, or to a plurality of elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). Said travel route is defined by a sequence of stopping points, which is predetermined in advance for the respective elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and at which the respective elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is to make a scheduled stop. Those elevator cars (20, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), to which a travel route is assigned, are then moved in accordance with the travel route (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) assigned to the respective elevator car (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). The invention further relates to an elevator controller (6), and to an elevator system (1) for carrying out such a method.