THE Penang Hill Upper Station Upgrading Project (Phase Four) is nearing completion, and its upgrading works are scheduled to be finished next month!
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng told Buletin Mutiara that the corporation hoped to open the new upper station for public use before the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration next year.
He said the project was now at 95% completion.
“The upgrading works of the upper station are in its final stage. Upon completion, the upper station can accommodate up to 700 visitors at a time. Currently, it can cater to up to 250 visitors at a time.
“We strive to provide better comfort to our visitors on the hill,” he said at his office in Penang Hill today.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the RM10.9 million project was launched on March 20, 2021.
The project includes the expansion of its current 800 sq m space (single floor) to 1,422 sq m (two floors). The endeavour also involves enhancing the waiting hall and facilities of the upper station.
The facilities encompass a ticketing counter, escalators, a lift, restrooms, a dedicated mothers’ room, and a distinctive featured wall that pays homage to Arnold Robert Johnson (1879 – 1966), the engineer credited with designing the historic Penang Hill railway.
Cheok said PHC is committed to ensuring that Penang Hill remains the preferred destination of choice in Malaysia.
“We are working towards achieving the Green Building Index (GBI) Gold rating for this project.
“The new upper station will be equipped with more senior-friendly and disabled-friendly facilities.
“We aspire for Penang Hill to evolve into an authentic family-friendly destination, inviting people to intimately connect with nature.
“In addition to better facilities, the upper station will also be equipped with a smart queue management system to ensure a smooth journey for Penang Hill visitors.
“Through the e-boarding system, visitors will be assigned batch numbers and given the estimated time of boarding the funicular train,” he said.
Cheok said the visitors could utilise their waiting time by having a drink at David Brown’s Restaurant and Tea Terrace or the Astaka Bukit Bendera.
“While awaiting their turn to board the funicular train back to the lower station, visitors can make the most of their time by exploring the hill’s attractions and enhancing their overall experience.
“A similar system is now being used at the lower station,” he said, adding that the visitors could spend their time on the hill more productively.
Cheok said the main objective of the upgrading project was to enable visitors to have a better experience when they visit Penang Hill.
“PHC plays its role in finding innovative ways to enhance the people’s experience. We are also bringing in businesses to our traders on the hill with our digital infrastructure,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had mentioned that the developments on Penang Hill are in line with the fundamental guidelines stipulated in the Penang Hill Special Area Plan (SAP) 2016 and Penang Hill Special Area Plan (Substitution) 2020 to maintain the aesthetic value and natural attractions of the hill.
Separately, Cheok noted a notable surge in visitors to Penang Hill, with a remarkable 10% increase recently.
“Last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday collectively welcomed approximately 20,000 visitors, marking a significant uptick compared to the corresponding period last year,” he said.
Visitors can take advantage of the free shuttle service from Komtar to Penang Hill from Dec 23 this year to Jan 1, 2024, spanning 10 days.
It will run from 9am to 9pm, with eight daily trips in both directions, at intervals of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Passengers can board the shuttle at the bus stop on Jalan Ria to the Penang Hill lower station and vice versa. The timetable can be found on PHC’s official website and social media platforms.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siew Chia En and courtesy of Penang Hill Corporation