Latest news with #Hartasuma
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang wants study on cable car link between Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay
pix by MIKAIL ONG GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has asked Hartasuma Sdn Bhd (Hartasuma) to conduct a feasibility study for a cable car project linking the Penang Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay here. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this would provide another transport link between both landmarks in the state. "Penang Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay are about 2.5km from each other. We want to see if it is feasible to have a cable car connection. "This will be a seamless one," he told newsmen here today. Chow said Hartasuma, which is undertaking the Penang Hill cable car project, was not the intended concessionaire for this new proposed link. "We just ask them to conduct a study and we will take it from there," he added. Chow said this after witnessing the signing ceremony for the financing facility of the Penang Hill cable car project between Hartasuma and Bank Penbangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB). The RM374.5 million facility represents a major step forward as the project moves towards full-scale construction. In April last year, Hartasuma, a leading pioneer in the local rail industry with almost 30 years' experience, had entered into a contract with Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, a global market leader in ropeway engineering, for the much-anticipated Penang Hill cable car project. The project was awarded to Hartasuma through a public-private partnership contract announced on Dec 14, 2022. Doppelmayr was chosen to provide the cable car system. In June last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the Penang Hill cable car project, marking a milestone in the state's efforts to enhance the state's tourism infrastructure by improving connectivity and accessibility to the tourist site, and transforming it into a must-visit historic landmark.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang plans cable car link from Botanical Gardens to Gurney Bay
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has asked Hartasuma Sdn Bhd to study a proposed cable car route linking the Botanical Gardens to Gurney Bay. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the study is in its early stages, and the state will assess its viability. 'Gurney Bay is another iconic tourist attraction, therefore it makes sense to connect the Botanical Gardens with Gurney Bay via cable car as well.' He added that the 2.5-kilometre route could become a major tourism draw if feasible. Chow clarified that no final decision has been made on the implementing company yet. Hartasuma, a local rail industry expert, partnered with Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH for the Penang Hill cable car project. The Penang Hill project, awarded via a Public-Private Partnership, will transport 1,400 passengers hourly. The 2.73-kilometre route includes three stations: Garden Station, Turn Station, and Hill Station. A multi-storey car park and commercial plaza are also part of the development. – Bernama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Penang mulls second cable car link between Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has asked Hartasuma Sdn Bhd (Hartasuma) to conduct a feasibility study for a possible cable car project linking Penang Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the proposed link would provide another connection between the two major landmarks. "Penang Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay are about 2.5km apart. "We want to see if it is feasible to have a cable car connection. "This will be a seamless one," he told newsmen here today. Chow said that Hartasuma, which is undertaking the ongoing Penang Hill cable car project, was not the concessionaire for this newly proposed link. "We are only asking them to conduct a study, and we will take it from there," he said. Chow was met after witnessing the signing ceremony for the financing facility of the Penang Hill cable car development between Hartasuma and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB). The RM374.5 million financing facility represents a major step forward for the project as it moves towards full-scale construction. In April last year, Hartasuma, a leading Malaysian homegrown pioneer in the local rail industry with almost 30 years of experience, formally entered into a contract with Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, a global market leader in ropeway engineering, for the much-anticipated Penang Hill cable car project. The Penang Hill cable car project was successfully awarded to Hartasuma through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer basis, as announced on Dec 14, 2022, with Doppelmayr providing the cable car system. In June last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the Penang Hill cable car project, marking a milestone in the state's efforts to enhance Penang's tourism infrastructure, improve connectivity and accessibility to Penang Hill, and transform it into a must-visit historic landmark.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Penang explores new cable car link between Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 6 — The Penang state government has tasked Hartasuma Sdn Bhd — the firm building the Penang Hill cable car — with conducting a feasibility study for a similar service connecting the Botanic Gardens to Gurney Bay. However, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stressed that this feasibility study is a separate initiative from the Penang Hill cable car project already awarded to Hartasuma. 'We are merely looking into the feasibility of building cable cars to connect these two tourist attractions,' Chow said. He added that the proposed 2.5km line makes sense as it would link two of the city's iconic recreational and tourism spots. If the project comes to fruition, he noted, it would serve as another major tourist attraction for the state. Chow clarified that once the study is completed, the state government will review the findings and make a final decision on how to proceed. The directive for the new study comes as Hartasuma is proceeding with the construction of the RM367.2 million Penang Hill cable car project, which is expected to be completed by early 2027.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
BPMB commits RM367.2mil to back Penang Hill cable car project
(From left) BPMB managing director of group corporate and investment banking Mohamed Nazri Omar, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, BPMB group head of coverage Gerald Goh, Hartasuma executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon and Jen (R) Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim at the signing ceremony. GEORGE TOWN: A 10-minute ride through the air to Penang Hill is set to become a reality, with Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) committing RM367.2mil to back the hill's cable car project. The financing deal with project concessionaire Hartasuma Sdn Bhd marks a major step forward for the much-discussed plan to improve access to Penang Hill. Once completed, the cable car system will have a carrying capacity of up to 1,400 passengers per hour in each direction, offering a quicker, more scenic journey from the Penang Botanic Gardens to the summit. The project also supports Penang's broader goals for sustainable tourism and long-term infrastructure development. Hartasuma, an established player in transport engineering, will develop, finance, operate and maintain the system. At the signing of the financing facility agreement here on Wednesday (Aug 6), BPMB managing director Mohamed Nazri Omar said the project reflects the bank's role in supporting national development with impact-driven capital. 'This is BPMB Group's first blended finance initiative, combining debt financing and equity investment,' he said. 'We are proud to support a project that builds on Penang Hill's longstanding appeal as a premier eco-tourism destination. "Visitor numbers are steadily rebounding with 1.8 million in 2024, up from 1.6 million the year before, and approaching pre-pandemic levels of 1.9 million. "With the cable car in place, annual visitation is expected to nearly double, reaching up to 3.96 million by 2035 — a clear sign of the project's potential to elevate Penang Hill's appeal on the global stage. 'More than just a transport solution, the cable car offers resilience and capacity. In doing so, it not only enhances the visitor experience but also unlocks new socio-economic opportunities with up to 300 jobs created during construction and over 100 more during operations,' he added. The equity portion of up to RM30mil is structured via Musharakah under BPMB Dana Sdn Bhd and supported by the National Energy Transition Facility (NETF), aligning the project with Malaysia's low-carbon transition agenda. Hartasuma Executive Director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon called the cable car a legacy project that will be remembered for generations. He said the system is expected to be ready by early 2027. "We are building more than a cable car. We are building a shared memory, one that will be passed down in stories of those who journey here," Ravindran added. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the cable car will complement—not replace—the funicular, helping manage the growing number of visitors. 'This project is no longer theoretical. It is urgent,' he said. As a long term plan, Chow told reporters later that the state was exploring the possibility of extending the cable car to Gurney Bay, 2.5km away, after it is up and running.
