Chow leads delegation to Switzerland, Austria for Penang Hill cable car project
PETALING JAYA : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow is leading a state delegation to Switzerland and Austria to support the development of the Penang Hill cable car project.
In a statement, his office said the seven-day visit, which starts today, is hosted by Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH and local rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd.
Chow's office said the visit is key to ensuring the project meets international standards for sustainable mobility and safety.
The delegation will visit several key suppliers involved in the project, including Doppelmayr in Wolfurt, Austria; Fatzer AG, a cable ropeway supplier in Romanshorn, Switzerland; Garaventa AG, a funicular system expert in Goldau, Switzerland; and CWA Constructions SA, a gondola cabin manufacturer in Olten, Switzerland.
The delegation will also meet with the mayor of Bettmeralp and representatives from local cable car operator Aletsch Bahnen AG. Bettmeralp is a well-known car-free village accessible only by cable car and serves as a model for sustainable mountain tourism.
The statement added that insights gained from the visit will help guide the long-term development of Penang Hill as a sustainable and accessible destination.
'This visit is vital for understanding the engineering, operations and safety measures behind world-class cable car systems,' the statement said.
'The state government is committed to delivering the Penang Hill cable car project with the highest standards of safety, quality and reliability. This mission reflects that commitment,' it said.
The RM245 million Penang Hill cable car project was awarded to Hartasuma under a 30-year public-private partnership using a design-finance-build-operate-transfer model.
Doppelmayr has been tapped to supply the cable car technology.
The cable car line will span 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.
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