Construction has begun on a new masterpiece of transport technology from Doppelmayr in Penang Hill (Malaysia): a fast 8-person gondola lift as an alternative to the existing funicular, which was only overhauled by Garaventa in 2010. From 2026, the 2.7 km long "D-Line" will transport up to 1000 passengers per hour in 50 new 8-person cabins at speeds of up to 6 m/s up the mountain.
The altitude gain is, of course, not comparable to that of alpine regions around the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger. However, the manufacturer reports that the new cable car will significantly improve mobility in the UNESCO Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, especially during peak times. Located near the historic Botanical Gardens, it will also give this popular destination the much-needed boost, Penang's Chief Minister, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, stated confidently at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Image: Doppelmayr
Doppelmayr has extensive experience in constructing cable car solutions in challenging locations, including 86 projects in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Geoparks, and Biosphere Reserves, as well as numerous national parks. The Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve was designated under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The contract to implement the project was awarded to Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, a leading Malaysian pioneer in the local railway industry, through a public-private partnership (PPP) covering planning, financing, construction,
Operation and transfer. The Penang Hill Cable Car is scheduled for completion by 2026.
The D-Line starts near the Botanical Garden and will take its passengers via an intermediate station to the mountain station, located at an altitude of approximately 720 meters. Passengers will then enjoy a safe and comfortable ride of less than ten minutes as they glide over the spectacular forest.
“The project will not only create another outstanding tourist attraction and boost economic activity, but will also solve many of the problems currently facing the existing funicular railway and the Penang Botanic Gardens area,” said YB Zairil Khir Johari, Penang State Exco for Infrastructure and Transport and Co-Chairman of the Cable Car Project Steering Committee.
Contractor Hartasuma is a leading company for rail vehicles and railway services, with core competencies in system integration, overhaul, refurbishment and rehabilitation, assembly, and delivery of rail vehicles. Hartasuma delivered Malaysia's first locally assembled passenger coaches to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad and light rail transit vehicles to Prasarana Malaysia Berhad. To date, Hartasuma has delivered more than 500 rail vehicles to meet the needs of public transport in Malaysia.
