THE installation of towers for the Penang Hill Cable Car Project is set to begin next month with cabin production already underway, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced today following a working visit to Austria and Switzerland over the past week.
Chow, who led a state delegation alongside the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), said the trip brought valuable knowledge and stated the project’s progress is on track.
During the visit, the delegation engaged with Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cable car systems, and toured its headquarters.
Speaking at a press conference in Komtar, Chow described the visit as productive, saying they would review prototype cabins and hold discussions for the final design.
“The cable car system is on track for completion by December 2026, with a three-month trial phase before opening to the public.
“We also met with CWA Construction, a subsidiary of Gondola Cabin and the company responsible for producing the cabins for the Penang Hill system,” he said.
In addition to technical reviews, the trip included a comprehensive briefing on the use of cable cars in urban public transportation, as seen in Paris and various Latin American cities.
Chow noted that the team also explored best practices in resort operations and proposed a “car-free village” concept in line with sustainable tourism development.
Local project rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd is expected to adapt its implementation strategy based on insights from the trip.
Chow said that the existing funicular railway will remain operational throughout the development, with component upgrades planned to maintain service quality.
He added that cabin lifespans typically range from 15 to 20 years, with replacements and maintenance to be handled by Doppelmayr and its Swiss partner Garaventa.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alissala Thian