Penang Hill Funicular Service was disrupted from 7.42pm last evening (21 December 2019) and resumed normal operation at 4.45pm today. The incident happened at approximately 7.42pm where the track brake system of the funicular coach (Mutiara) locked up due to a faulty hydraulic component, resulting the coach unable to move at the Middle Station area.
This is a safety mechanism that triggers whenever there is a faulty component that causes a system error. Due to the complexity of the funicular system, workspace constraints beneath the coach, and many heavy mechanical parts, identifying and removing the suspected faulty component took time.
After assessing the problem onsite, Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) contacted the emergency hotline (999) to request for assistance from the authorities to transport down the visitors stranded inside both funicular coaches and on the hill.
The emergency rescue teams arrived at the Middle Station area at 8.53pm and brought 173 stranded visitors down the hill with four-wheel drive. There was a total of 793 visitors and workers on the hill on Penang Hill Upper Station at that time, together with 52 staff members.
PHC worked together with Penang Hill Residents’ Association and the community on the hill to transport visitors down the hill via Jeep Track to the Penang Botanic Garden with four-wheel drive.
They were then transported to Penang Hill Lower Station by Rapid Penang buses and trucks provided by FRU and APM. The last trip was concluded at approximately 1am (22 December 2019).
PHC maintenance team worked round the clock to rectify the problem and replaced the defective components. The funicular service was resumed at 4.45pm on 22 December 2019 after comprehensive test runs were conducted.
PHC would like to thank PDRM, JBPM, APM, Penang Hill Volunteer Fire Brigade, Penang Hill Residents’ Association, The Habitat, Bellevue Hotel, St. John Ambulance, and the community on the hill for providing immediate assistance during the critical hours.
PHC sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to all visitors, and would like to thank their support, understanding, and patience over the service disruption period.
