GEORGE TOWN: The DAP-led Penang Government is expected to revise fares for the new Penang Hill funicular train service, using new Swiss-made coaches.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the fares would be revised once the state government took over the management of the service.
“We will announce the new rates for the train (service) later but we assure Penang Hill residents their rates would remain the same,” he said.
This means that the RM24 rate for monthly unlimited ride for hill residents would remain the same, once the service is resumed.
Prior to the upgrading of the service, the train fare for locals and tourists was RM4 for adults and RM2 for children.
Lim was speaking to reporters after meeting with the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) here yesterday.
On Feb 22, the 87-year-old funicular train ceased operations to make way for the upgrading project by the tourism ministry.
Upon completion, there will be two new Swiss-made air-conditioned coaches which can ferry 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. It will also be more user-friendly for the elderly, disabled and children. — Bernama