Malaysia

Penang Hill funicular train breaks down

All 150 passengers successfully rescued

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 03 Oct 2020 4:54PM

Penang Hill funicular train breaks down
Officers from the Paya Terubong fire and rescue department help lift a senior citizen to safety, after the funicular train broke down midway at Penang Hill, on October 3, 2020. – IAN MCINTYRE/The Vibes, October 3, 2020

by Ian McIntyre

GEORGE TOWN - More than 150 passengers were stranded when the funicular train were on broke down midway to Penang Hill at 2.30pm today.

Rescue efforts were hampered by weather conditions, and firemen had to use four-wheel drive jeeps to reach passengers, said Paya Terubong fire and rescue department officer Noor Zahidi Ahad.

There were no injuries reported, and all passengers were successfully escorted down by the rescue officers.

Passengers of the funicular train that broke down midway in Penang Hill, are escorted to safety by officers from the Paya Terubong fire and rescue department, on October 3, 2020. – IAN MCINTYRE/The Vibes, October 3, 2020
Passengers of the funicular train that broke down midway in Penang Hill, are escorted to safety by officers from the Paya Terubong fire and rescue department, on October 3, 2020. – IAN MCINTYRE/The Vibes, October 3, 2020

The hill which sits at 833m above sea level is one of the top attractions in Penang.

In 2010, the train service was revamped to be fitted with modern coaches and technology but breakdowns continue to occur regularly.

In December 2019, 150 tourists and hill residents, as well as workers were stranded hours after a similar breakdown.

Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said that the service disruption was caused by faulty brakes due to leakage.

He said the train service has been restored, and assured that the management will take the necessary measures to prevent further breakdowns in the future. – The Vibes, October 3, 2020.

Related News

Malaysia / 1mth

RM245m Penang Hill cable car project 32 per cent complete - CM

Community / 7mth

Results of Penang Trash Free Hill programme encouraging, says Exco

People / 10mth

Penang-based groups gather in memory of Dr Jane Goodall

Malaysia / 1y

Dead animals at Penang Hill believed to be poisoned

Malaysia / 2y

Environment-friendly initiatives to come with Penang Hill cable car project

Malaysia / 2y

Environment group calls for halt to Penang Hill cable car project

Spotlight

Malaysia

Nhaveen murder trial: Accused admits taunting victim but denies fatal assault

Malaysia

MCMC probes alleged AI sexual abuse targeting Kedah pupils, teachers

Malaysia

Anwar checks final preparations for Budget 2027

Malaysia

Sarawak election could be called within weeks of Budget 2027

Malaysia

Anwar contacts Prabowo over ‘alarming’ transboundary haze

Malaysia

King calls for schools in haze-hit areas to close

Malaysia

Parents worry over children’s exposure as haze worsens

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

You may be interested

Malaysia

Budget 2027: Anwar speaks some Tamil, quotes the masterpiece ‘Tirukkural’

Malaysia

Budget 2027 allocates RM490m for border security while doubling disaster home repair aid

Malaysia

Budget 2027: FlySiswa subsidy raised to RM500 to ease burden on public university students

Malaysia

Budget 2027: TNB to invest RM15b to strengthen national power grid

Malaysia

Budget 2027 to offer permanent posts to more than 9,000 contract doctors

Malaysia

Haze: 37 localities record unhealthy air, flights disrupted by fires

Malaysia

Budget 2027: Fahmi advises against being misled by false information

Malaysia

Budget 2027: Form 6 students ‘all smiles’ upon receiving RM2,500 allowance