GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hill funicular service is expected to shut down for its scheduled second bi-annual maintenance from May 17 to 28 and will resume operations on May 29.

       Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 16), said they were monitoring the Covid-19 situation and said they hoped that the engineers from the funicular manufacturer (Garaventa AG of Switzerland) would be able to return to supervise the maintenance.

       It also said that regular checks and maintenance are conducted on its funicular system on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, on top of routine inspections carried out after operation hours.

       “The maintenance and inspections are necessary to ensure that the funicular system is always in top running condition and meets stringent safety compliance checks.

       “Starting this year, PHC will be implementing monthly full-day shutdowns to carry out inspections and maintenance of the train.

       “The focus will be on inspecting wear and tear and carrying out maintenance tasks which could not be done during normal operations,” the statement added.

       It further stated that the first monthly full-day shutdown was successfully carried out on Jan 25, with the next two scheduled for Feb 22 and March 23.

       “During the shutdown period, visitors may opt for the jeep service operated by the Penang Hill Residents Association (019-572 0543), or the existing hiking routes, to reach the summit of Penang Hill,” it said.

       When contacted, PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng explained that the maintenance work was usually carried out twice a year – in January and after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

       However, maintenance was done in November last year instead of January this year, he said.

       “We did that after discussing with the traders on Penang Hill and it seemed like a better idea to hold it earlier.

       “That was because we expected an increase in visitors in January and did not want to disrupt the crowds,” he said.

       Cheok said the maintenance work was conducted in-house that time as a result of restrictions during the pandemic as Swiss engineers were unable to fly in.

       “However, with close supervision we were able to do the needful.

       “This is why the maintenance work in May will be longer,” he said.

       In a statement, PHC said it reserved the right to reschedule the maintenance work at any time should the need arise.

       Visitors are advised to follow PHC’s social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to receive updates on the shutdown dates including the monthly full-day shutdowns.

       For further enquiries, contact PHC at 04-828 8880 or email inquiries@penanghill.gov.my.