Penang: The Penang government has requested Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire for the Penang Hill cable car project, to conduct a feasibility study on a proposed new cable car route linking the Botanical Gardens to Gurney Bay. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the study is currently in its early stages and that the state government will evaluate whether the new route is viable for future implementation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chow mentioned that Gurney Bay is another iconic tourist attraction, making it logical to connect it with the Botanical Gardens via cable car. This proposed project aims to create a seamless connection between the two attractions. He made these remarks after attending the signing ceremony for the financing facility of the Penang Hill Cable Car development between Hartasuma and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB).
The distance between the Botanical Gardens and Gurney Bay is estimated to be around 2.5 kilometres. If proven viable, the proposed route could become a significant addition to the state’s tourism landscape. However, Chow clarified that no final decision has been made regarding the implementing company, as the proposal is still in the study phase.
In April last year, Hartasuma, a Malaysian pioneer in the local rail industry, entered into a contract with Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, a global leader in ropeway engineering, for the Penang Hill cable car project. The project was awarded to Hartasuma through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer basis, with Doppelmayr providing the cable car system.
The Penang Hill Cable Car is designed to carry up to 1,400 passengers per hour in each direction, offering a 10-minute journey from the Penang Botanical Gardens to the hill’s summit, which is 700m above sea level. The project covers a 2.73-kilometre route with three main stations: the Garden Station, the Turn Station, and the Hill Station.
Additional developments include the construction of a multi-storey car park, a commercial plaza in front of the Botanical Gardens Department, and a special bus parking area.