IN view of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration this weekend, the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) and Rapid Penang have introduced a three-day Penang Hill Free Shuttle Service pilot programme to tackle the traffic congestion in the vicinity.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the aim of the programme, from April 22 to April 24, was to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and promote a green initiative to lower carbon emissions in the Air Itam area.
“This pilot experiment will help PHC to assess the response of visitors to the potential success of this initiative.
“If the pilot programme turns out to be successful, the frequency of the free shuttle service will be extended as well,” he said during a press conference at Penang Hill Lower Station today.
Yeoh pointed out the shuttle service offers an additional transportation option for an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 visitors heading to the popular tourist spot this weekend.
“This shuttle service will be available to the commuters who are keen to visit Penang Hill, especially with the limited car parking spaces,” he said.
The free shuttle service will operate from April 22 to April 24, running from 9am to 9pm. It is available with eight trips daily from Komtar Bus Terminal (Station 9) to Penang Hill Lower Station and vice versa at an interval of an hour and 30 minutes.
Yeoh added passengers can easily identify the bus with its livery ‘Penang Hill Railway’s 100th Anniversary Celebration.’
“If the shuttle bus reaches maximum capacity, visitors are encouraged to take the existing Rapid bus number 204 at a regular rate to Penang Hill.
“We want to promote the usage of public transportation in the state,” he said.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said they were committed to collaborating with partners to implement sustainable solutions to tackle traffic issues.
“We encourage visitors to take advantage of this free shuttle service during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period,” he said.
In addition, The Loaf and KOTA Dine & Coffee are offering an RM5 discount voucher to each passenger taking the free shuttle service.
The timetable of the shuttle service is available on PHC’s website and its social media.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee