GEORGE TOWN: More than 150 visitors were left stranded at Penang Hill’s middle station last night, some for more than three hours, after the funicular train service experienced a malfunction.
However, all visitors were brought down safely from the hill – via jeeps and buses – by midnight.
A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said that the train broke down at about 8.30pm.
“We received a call from the hill management informing us about the funicular train disruption.
“We were told that more than 150 people were trapped at the middle station,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) apologised for the incident and inconvenience caused.
It said the funicular service was disrupted due to a system error.
“PHC's funicular operation team is working hard to rectify the situation.
“In the meantime, we are transporting visitors down the hill via jeep services.
“PHC is also coordinating more vehicles to transport visitors down the hill as soon as possible.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused,” it said.
Just hours earlier, the hill had been visited by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and other VIPs.