THE Penang government is calling for a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Penang Hill cable car project.
The state government is planning to proceed with the proposed Penang Hill cable car project though a collaboration with the private sector.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the collaboration with the private sector was considered following the Federal Government’s announcement in April last year, that it had withdrawn its RM100 million allocation for the development of the cable car system on Penang Hill.
“Besides the existing funicular service which serves residents and visitors in Penang Hill, the cable car system can be an additional mode of transport to mitigate congestion during peak hours.
“The cable car system can also contribute towards Penang’s tourism development. It is known to the world as an Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST), backed by proven data and scientific conclusions.
“There were many national parks, nature reserves and even the Unesco World Heritage Sites that had successfully implemented the cable car system, given the small footprint and the environmental-friendly construction methodologies,” Chow told a press conference at his office in Komtar today.
Chow said a pre-feasibility study for the cable car system had been conducted and a thorough evaluation on the market, social, economy, environmental impact, financial model, potential, viability, alignment options and others had been completed by a consultant.
“According to the pre-feasibility study that was conducted, several route options were proposed for the cable car project; namely, via Teluk Bahang, Penang City Park or Penang Botanic Gardens.
“A proposed multi-storey carpark may be built at a different location, depending on the alignment and the location of the lower station. The Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) has proposed the use of electric vehicles to ferry visitors from the multi-storey carpark to cable car lower station,” he said.
Chow said that careful planning must be done for the future of Penang Hill and the state.
“Penang Hill and its surrounding areas are in the midst of being recognised as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve under the Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
“This proposed cable car project is not a stand-alone project. It requires much considerations and deliberations,” he said.
Chow said that through this RFP, it is hoped that the successful private company could fully fund the project.
“The company will be given the rights to manage the project for a specific period,” he said.
Chow added that the project is expected to take between three and four years to be completed.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the RFP was for the cable car project and the relevant facilities such as the multi-storey visitor carpark.
“The cost of the project would depend on the alignment. The cost will be lower if the construction methodology is simpler.
“If the company chooses a very challenging route, the cost will be higher due to the materials and the construction methodology.
“The RM100 million allocation which was promised by the Federal Government and was later withdrawn, is not the actual cost of the proposed cable car project.
“The estimated cost of the project, including the cable car lower and upper station, is at least RM150 million,” he said.
Cheok said PHC had conducted a survey to gather response from over 2,000 participants about the proposed cable car project.
“So far about 95% of the them support the cable car project and 90 over percent said that they would return to Penang Hill if the project is implemented,” he said.
The RFP is open from Jan 13 to May 24.
For more details call PHC at 04-828 8880 ext. 345.
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, state executive council members Zairil Khir Johari and Yeoh Soon Hin, State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, State Financial Officer Datuk Dr Mohamad Farazi Johari and Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud