GEORGE TOWN, April 15 – Penang has proposed a “Sky Cab” project to further improve connectivity between its island and the mainland. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who announced the project, said the proposal would link Penang Sentral Transportation Hub in Butterworth to Nordin Street Ghaut in George Town. “This will improve connectivity between the mainland and island and create a one-stop transport system at Penang Sentral,” he said in a press conference at his office.
The first phase of the Penang Sky Cab, proposed by Penang Sentral, will feature 40 cabins that could transport about 1,000 passengers both ways per hour. The aerial ride between the mainland and the island is expected to take only 15 minutes. Lim said the project, which is now at an advanced exploratory stage, is expected to be ready by 2018.
There is also a proposed observation tower in the north channel for passengers to stop and enjoy the view in the middle of the sea. The landing point is located on state land outside the heritage zone on the island. Lim said the project will be subject to various approvals and that Penang Sentral and the state government will also get the Penang Port Commission’s (PPC) views on it. “PPC do not have any objections to it as it does not obstruct the north channel or affect port activities,” he said.
