Latest news with #PenangHillCorporation
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang Hill cable car project fully funded by private sector, says state agency
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hill cable car project will be fully financed and developed by a private concessionaire, with no cost to the state government, the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) said on Friday (May 23). In a statement, the state agency said the RM245mil project was awarded to local rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd under a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) using a design-finance-build-operate-transfer (DFBOT) model. Ownership will revert to the state once the concession ends, it noted. PHC said the PPP approach was chosen to ease the financial burden on the state, with Hartasuma responsible for funding and operating the system. Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH has been tapped to supply the cable car technology. The clarification comes amid local media reports citing political concerns over the project's rising costs and current progress, with construction currently at just seven per cent completion. PHC said the budget was based on estimates from a 2021 request-for-proposal (RFP), during a period marked by Covid-19-related economic uncertainty, inflation, as well as higher labour and material costs. The project design was also adjusted to strengthen long-term viability. Despite the challenges, PHC said Hartasuma remains committed to delivering an international-standard cable car system spanning 2.73km from the Penang Botanic Gardens to the top of Bukit Bendera. The project includes three main stations namely, the Garden Station at the base, a mid-route Turn Station and the Hill Station at the summit, as well as a multi-storey car park, commercial plaza opposite the Botanic Gardens Department and a dedicated bus parking space. PHC said careful planning was underway to ensure the infrastructure integrates sustainably with the natural environment. Once completed, the cable car is also expected to ease congestion on Penang Hill during peak seasons and reduce chronic traffic around the Botanic Gardens area. - Bernama
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang hill cable car project fully funded by private sector
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hill cable car project will be fully financed and developed by a private concessionaire, with no cost to the state government, the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) said today. In a statement, the state agency said the RM245 million project was awarded to local rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd under a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) using a design-finance-build-operate-transfer (DFBOT) model. Ownership will revert to the state once the concession ends, it noted. PHC said the PPP approach was chosen to ease the financial burden on the state, with Hartasuma responsible for funding and operating the system. Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH has been tapped to supply the cable car technology. The clarification comes amid local media reports citing political concerns over the project's rising costs and current progress, with construction currently at just seven per cent completion. PHC said the budget was based on estimates from a 2021 request-for-proposal (RFP), during a period marked by COVID-19-related economic uncertainty, inflation, as well as higher labour and material costs. The project design was also adjusted to strengthen long-term viability. Despite the challenges, PHC said Hartasuma remains committed to delivering an international-standard cable car system spanning 2.73 kilometres from the Penang Botanic Gardens to the top of Bukit Bendera. The project includes three main stations namely, the Garden Station at the base, a mid-route Turn Station and the Hill Station at the summit, as well as a multi-storey car park, commercial plaza opposite the Botanic Gardens Department and a dedicated bus parking space. PHC said careful planning was underway to ensure the infrastructure integrates sustainably with the natural environment. Once completed, the cable car is also expected to ease congestion on Penang Hill during peak seasons and reduce chronic traffic around the Botanic Gardens area.
Malay Mail
07-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang Hill's RM20m food court project set to begin construction in July
GEORGE TOWN, May 8 — Construction of a new RM20 million food court on Penang Hill is slated to begin in July or early August following the demolition of the existing structure, which is currently underway. Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said demolition of the old Astaka is progressing and is now 60 per cent complete. 'We aim to complete demolition before July so that construction of the new food complex can commence by July or August,' he told Malay Mail in an interview. Phase one of the Astaka redevelopment, which involved constructing a temporary food court for hawkers, was completed in February. 'The hawkers have already moved into the temporary food court. Phase two, which involves tearing down the old Astaka, is now in progress,' he said. The old Astaka is currently being demolished. Cheok explained that the old structure could not be restored due to its deteriorated condition, including leaks, making complete demolition necessary. 'We also need to carry out slope stabilisation work to ensure safety, as the site is located on the slopes of the hill. This can only be done after the old structure is removed,' he said. The new food court is designed to accommodate more visitors, with capacity doubled to about 600 people at any one time compared to the old Astaka. 'The new structure will be built to last and cater to a larger crowd,' he added. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the food court targeted to open to the public by December 2026. The completion is set to coincide with the ongoing cable car project, which Cheok said would enhance the appeal of Penang Hill. 'We hope these projects will provide more attractions for visitors to Penang Hill,' he said.
Malay Mail
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Penang Hill cable car project on track, first tower set for June
GEORGE TOWN, May 5 — Construction of the Penang Hill cable car project is progressing as scheduled, with the first ropeway tower expected to be erected by the end of June this year. Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said caisson piling works are ongoing at all four main project sites, which include the cable car stations and a multi-storey car park. 'There are three stations for the cable car: the Garden station, the Turn station, and the Hill station,' he told Malay Mail in a recent April interview. The project is currently 6.5 per cent complete, and Cheok expressed optimism that the first tower would be erected in June. Caisson piling, which serves as the foundation for the ropeway towers, is progressing steadily, with 12 out of 33 caisson points completed along the cable car alignment. 'The towers are being fabricated off-site and will be delivered to the project locations progressively,' Cheok said. To minimise environmental impact, PHC has reduced the number of towers on Penang Hill to 15, with five located within the forest reserve and the remaining 10 outside it. 'There are three towers near the Hill station, four at the Turn station, and three at the Garden station. We've taken measures to preserve as much of the forest as possible,' he added. Construction works for the cable car project ongoing at a steady pace at the Hill Station on Penang Hill. — Picture courtesy of Penang Hill Corporation He emphasised the importance of proper alignment for the ropeway towers and gondolas to ensure a smooth ride for passengers. Multi-storey car park and environmental measures The project also includes a multi-storey car park at the site of the old food court near the Botanic Gardens, which has been cleared and demolished. 'Ground preparation and environmental protection measures are already in place at the site,' Cheok said. The car park is a crucial component of the project, providing much-needed parking for visitors. Monitoring and public updates Although the project is being developed by Hartasuma Sdn Bhd under a public-private partnership (PPP), PHC is closely monitoring its progress to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. 'Safety reminders and vehicle movement notices have been issued to keep the public informed about construction activities,' Cheok said, adding that construction vehicles will be operating along Jalan Kebun Bunga, the Jeep track, and the Summit Road. An artist's impression of the multi-storey carpark. — Picture courtesy of Penang Hill Corporation About the project The RM245 million project was awarded to Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, a pioneer in the local rail industry, in December 2022. The project is being implemented under a 30-year concession agreement to design, finance, build, operate, and transfer the cable car system. The targeted completion date for the cable car system is the end of 2026, with operations expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027, following stringent safety checks and system readiness. 'This project will offer visitors a new way to experience Penang Hill while adhering to the highest safety standards,' Cheok said.
