GEORGE TOWN: More than 1,000 holidaymakers were stranded on Penang Hill after the funicular train broke down at the Upper Station on Sunday (Dec 12) night.

       The breakdown happened after the funicular train system experienced an error and the visitors had to be taken down by 4WD vehicles to the Botanical Gardens.

       It is learnt that Rapid Penang buses were waiting to ferry the stranded passengers back to the Lower Station.

       The incident happened at about 7pm and the evacuation process ended at about 11.30pm after all passengers were brought down safely.

       This is the third time the popular funicular train broke down after it experienced technical glitches in October and November.