January 13, 2011 at 10:00 am
The Penang Hill funicular train service, which is expected to resume by the end of this month following upgrading, will be delayed by at least another month, according to state Public Works, Utility and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng.
The old funicular trains of Penang Hill
Lim said currently, the contractor was installing the cables for the train while both the Swiss-made coaches had been fixed up.
“They are now in the final stage and we expect the train service to resume by the end of February,” he told Bernama when contacted, on Monday.
It was earlier reported that the RM63 million upgrading project of the funicular train was expected to be completed last December and service to resume by the end of this month.
Lim said the reason for the delay was difficulty faced by the contractor in diverting the alignment at the middle station.
“They need more time in the foundation work at the middle station and also the installation of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) cables from the lower station to the hilltop sub-station,” he said.
He said upon completion of the project, it would be handed over to the state government to manage it.
On Feb 22, the 87-year-old funicular train ceased its operation to make way for the upgrading project by the Tourism Ministry.
Upon completion, users will see two new Swiss-made air-conditioned coaches that can carry 50 people each with commuting time of 10 minutes for one way.
Under the new system, commuters can reach the hilltop in a single ride instead of changing trains at the middle station.
It will also be more user-friendly for the elderly, disabled and children.
Source: Bernama
Photo (c) cleong