GEORGE TOWN – The breakdown of Penang Hill’s funicular train was attributed to a powerline disturbance instead of the original report of a technical error.
In a press statement today, Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Chek Lay Leng added that due to the sensitivity of the funicular’s safety system, the train operated at a lower speed upon detecting the errors.
“In order to rapidly reduce visitors’ waiting time at the Upper Station, PHC had immediately initiated the jeep and bus services as an additional mode of transportation while the funicular continued to operate to transport visitors back to the Lower Station.
“Visitors who were transported downhill via the jeep service were subsequently transported back to the Lower Station via bus.
“PHC wishes to emphasise that despite the standard operating procedures (SOP) under the National Recovery Plan permitting full capacity for public transportation, the funicular service has always operated below its maximum capacity of 100 persons per trip,” the statement read.
Roughly 1,000 tourists lining up to go down Penang Hill yesterday had to be rerouted and taken down via jeep after the service experienced the disruption at around 6.39pm.
PHC promised to continue investigating the root cause of the powerline fault and carry out improvement works if necessary.
They emphasised that there was no breakdown in the incident but it was merely a safety procedure and they reaffirmed that the funicular service is safe for operations.
The funicular train resumed normal operations today morning at 6.30am.
This is the third time the funicular train experienced a breakdown in the past three months. – The Vibes, December 13, 2021
