GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hill cable car project, which received RM100mil allocation from the Federal Government in yesterday’s budget announcement, will be nothing short of world class.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk L.L. Cheok said only the best and latest technologies in the world would be used to ensure safety and a truly pleasant experience for the passengers.
“Although the allocation has been proposed, the project is still subject to a pre-feasibility study and later a technical feasibility study.
“The tender process of the pre-feasibility study is now in progress, ” he said.
In the pre-feasibility study, he said experts would have to analyse the social, economic, traffic and financial impacts of the project, on top of proposing a cable car alignment.
“With modern technology, there will be minimal tree-cutting involved to build the cable car towers. In cable car rides around the world, it is proven that passengers enjoy riding across woodlands, so we must preserve the natural environment as much as possible, ” he said.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Datuk K.L. Tan also praised the Federal Government for allocating the RM100mil, saying that it was an excellent boost for Penang tourism.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang chairman Khoo Boo Lim also hailed the allocation as a major step to improving logistics and facilities here to help enhance the experience for tourists.
Penang Tourist Guides Association president P.C. Chin said she was curious to know where the cable car will begin.
“The traffic congestion at the foot of Penang Hill’s train needs to be fixed and we would like to know if the cable car will begin at Batu Ferringhi or City Park as discussed before, ” she added.
State tourism, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said Penang Hill is one of the most popular tourist attractions here and it is packed with people queuing up for the train during long weekends and holidays.
“Having a new cable car will definitely solve this age-old problem. Tourists will enjoy a different mode of transport up the hill, ” he said.
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