Cable car planned between Penang Island and mainland

GEORGE TOWN: A ‘Penang Sky Cab’ cable car system connecting Penang Sentral in Butterworth to Gat Lebuh Noordin in the island is expected to be completed in 2018.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic) said on Wednesday that the project was an initiative of the state government and Penang Sentral, and which was discussed from last year and was in advanced exploratory stage at present.

“It will provide an aerial link from the mainland to the island and decrease the dependence on automobiles.

“The 3km link is expected to take around 15 minutes travel time. It will be able to cater to 1,000 passengers per hour per direction.

“It will provide an alternative form of travel in an easier, faster and more comfortable way.

‘With the implementation, Penang Sentral will become a five-in-one travel hub offering from taxi, buses, train, ferry and Sky Cab services,” he said at a press conference at Komtar here.

Penang Sentral property and retail division senior vice-president said the Penang Sentral Cable Car Station would be located next to the Penang Sentral Transportation Hub.

“The total cost of the project is still being calculated and will be revealed soon,” she said.