He added that the state government wants to move forward with the RM150 million project and is open to collaborating with the private sector to complete it.

“Based on our pre-feasibility studies, we have several possible routes in mind.

“Pending the proposal, we also plan for several tiered car park and stations to be built in different locations as well,” Chow said at a press conference here today.

Also present was Penang Hill general manager Cheok Lay Leng who said that any company interested in partnering with the state must be willing to bear the full cost of the project.

He added that the RM150 million estimated cost for the cable car project includes the construction of tiered car park and cable car stations.

“Their proposal must also meet some stringent requirements we have in place.”

According to Cheok, a public opinion survey revealed that 95% of its 200 participants supported the project.

“Although one or two NGO’s have objected, they have largely cited policy and control issues.”

The state government says it is open to receiving proposals starting Wednesday, with the final day for submissions on May 24.

Given its status as an Environmentally Sustainable Transport, a cable car project was mooted to alleviate passenger traffic on the existing funicular railway.

A total of 1.38 million people went up Penang Hill in 2019.

The previous Pakatan Harapan federal government had approved a RM100 million allocation for the cable car project under Budget 2020 drafted by then finance minister Lim Guan Eng, with the state bearing the remaining costs.

However, the allocation was scrapped by the Perikatan Nasional government in April last year.