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The new funicular train takes only five minutes to reach the peak. — Picture by Ramdzan Masiam

THE view from the top of Penang Hill is always spectacular, regardless of whether it is during the day or at night.

Soon, visitors will be able to enjoy that breath-taking view by taking a fast non-stop ride to the peak on board the newly acquired Swiss-made air-conditioned funicular train when the state government opens the service to the public.

It is said to be a cosy five-minute trip, unlike the previous tram which takes about 30 minutes to go up, not to mention having to change trams midway up the breezy 833-metre high hill.

Besides, the two new coaches will also be able to take up to 1,000 passengers an hour, as opposed to 250 previously.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, during a recent handing-over ceremony of the funicular train service’s RM73 million upgrading project to the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), has even projected that with the completion of this soon-to-be state icon, Penang can expect to draw 2.4 million tourists to the hill annually compared to only 607,198 in 2009.

It is indeed a much-lauded figure, considering the fact that visitors to the hill had dwindled drastically in the past decade, mainly due to the lack of tourists attractions.

The ball is now at the PHC’s court to come up with initiatives that will return Penang Hill to its former glory or put it on a par with Hong Kong’s famed Victoria Peak.

The corporation, it is learnt, has undertaken several interesting projects to revive tourism activities on the hill to lure tourists, including promoting eco-tourism that comes with an educational nature trail.

There’s also the proposed research centre for the hill’s flora and fauna, a new 200m canopy walk, a RM4.7 million hawkers’ complex, and guided full-moon tours.

Not forgetting the jeep services which are still in operation, used in cases of emergency, and also the jungle track for joggers.

Still, what must not be overlooked here is the ticketing set-up at the base station.

The place is so small that it can hardly hold up to 1,000 visitors waiting to buy tickets for the funicular train.

For argument sake, let’s take Dr Ng’s projection of about 2.4 million tourists a year visiting the hill and imagine what the scenario will be at the base station then.

That brings to about 200,000 people a month and 6,000-odd visitors a day crowding at the base station.

The are only two computer monitors at the booths, which means only two personnel are able to handle the sale of tickets at any given time.

But let’s give the PHC the benefit of doubt, that they are still sorting out the details such as sale of tickets right now because a recent quick walkabout at the base station showed that the place is still not completed.

Still, I cannot imagine having to be among the 1,000 people queuing up to buy the tickets.

What about those school teachers who organise tours to the hill for their students? What if they decide to bring three bus loads of their charges to this hill, commonly known to the locals as Bukit Bendera?

And what about the foreign tourists who come in groups?

With today’s technology, the need to buy tickets on-the-spot should be reviewed because passengers should not have to line up to buy them.

PHC should encourage pre-booking, with a scheduled time for the ride up the hill.

This way, people can then plan their visit to the hill instead of wasting time to queue up, especially during weekends or holidays when the number of visitors usually swell into the thousands.

Our local travel agents can also purchase tickets in bulk and sell them to their clients who want to visit the hill.

Consideration should also be given to the elderly, disabled and children.

PHC should consider online booking but at the same time, they must also adopt pre-emptive measures at the ticketing counters.

What happens if one of the computers breaks down or the printer fails to work?

Surely there will be chaos.

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Posted by admin on April 26, 2011 under Opinion.