Penang Hill Cable Car Expected To Be Completed In Dec 2026

GEORGE TOWN, June 18 (Bernama) -- The installation and piling works of the Penang Hill Cable Car Project are currently underway with the installation of the towers for the project expected to begin at the end of July.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Hill Cable Car project is progressing smoothly and hoped that Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, which was awarded the project, could improve on any suggestions after the Switzerland and Austria visit from June 10 to June 16.

"There is still time to make improvements from the visit and we believe that this project can be implemented well with the technological support from the reputable funicular and cable car companies.

"The project is expected to be completed by December 2026 and may take another three months for trial period, dry commissioning and so on before it is opened to tourists and the public," he said at a press conference at Komtar, today.

Chow, who led the delegation, said they had visited key suppliers and industry leaders involved in the cable car project including the headquarters and manufacturing facilities of Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH in Wolfurt, Austria, cable car rope system supplier Fatzer AG in Romanshorn, funicular system supplier Garaventa AG in Goldau and gondola cabin supplier CWA Constructions SA in Olten, Switzerland.

Commenting further, he said the companies involved may now need to select the colours for the cabins for the Penang Hill Cable Car Project.

Chow also stressed that the Penang Hill funicular railway service, which is one of the landmarks of Penang, will still be used after the opening of the cable car by ensuring all maintenance work to ensure its safety.

The Penang Hill Cable Car Project will cover a 2.73-kilometre route from the Penang Botanical Gardens to the top of the hill, with three main stations, namely the Garden Station at the foot of the hill, the Turn Station in the middle of the route and the Hill Station at the top.

The project also includes the construction of a multi-storey car park, a commercial plaza in front of the Botanical Gardens Department as well as a special bus parking area.

-- BERNAMA