THE Penang state government has directed cable car concessionaire Hartasuma Sdn Bhd to carry out a feasibility study on extending the Penang Hill cable car route to Gurney Bay, a new tourism hub along the island’s coast.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed that the proposed new line would span approximately 2.5 kilometres, connecting the Botanical Gardens base station to Gurney Bay, and would form part of the state’s broader tourism strategy.
“Hartasuma has formed a subsidiary, Hartasuma Ropeways Sdn Bhd, to undertake the hillside project as the lead delivery partner,” Chow said.
He added that the extension made practical sense as Gurney Bay is quickly emerging as a key tourism destination in Penang. However, no timeline or projected cost for the feasibility study has yet been disclosed.
The announcement was made following the signing of a financing agreement between Hartasuma and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, a government-owned financial institution. Hartasuma was represented by its executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, while the bank was represented by Mohamed Nazri Omar, its managing director of group corporate and investment banking.
Chow also noted that the plan supports previous suggestions of linking Penang Hill to Teluk Bahang, which lies some 23 kilometres away.
The Penang Hill funicular railway surpassed one million riders as of July this year, a figure Chow said reflects growing demand for access to the hill, which has been served by the heritage railway for over two centuries.
The RM367.2 million loan facility signed this week marks a significant step forward for the cable car project, which is scheduled for completion by 2028.
Bank Pembangunan’s Nazri said that the project’s financial viability is supported by projections showing the cable car could carry 1,400 passengers per hour in each direction, further enhancing access to the popular hill destination.
Meanwhile, Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leong revealed that the revised Special Area Plan has increased the hill’s projected carrying capacity to 6,000 visitors at any one time. He said the hill could accommodate more than this number, and noted that new eco-tourism initiatives such as trekking and hiking would be explored to diversify visitor experiences.
Ravindran Menon added that Hartasuma is also considering an additional cable car spur line to serve visitors to the Sri Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple located on Waterfall Hill. This would form part of the company’s corporate social responsibility commitment, he said. - August 6, 2025
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