THE Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) announced that the Penang Hill's newly upgraded funicular railway system will see a 100% increase in fares starting in May.

While the old fare system charged RM4 for adults and RM2 for children, the new system will see visitors paying RM8 and RM4 respectively. Foreigners will see the biggest increase in ticket prices, RM30 for a return ticket for adults, and RM15 for children. In the past foreign tourists would pay the same fares as locals. Read here.

The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) however said that the fare hike is reasonable and not excessive. "The price increase is justified if the service is good, the train is clean and fast, and it gives tourists a good experience," said Marco Battistotti, president of MAH's Penang chapter and general manager of E&O Hotel and Lone Pine Hotel. "Most people go up Penang Hill not because they live there but for the the view." Read here.

After a year of upgrading works which cost the Tourism Ministry RM73mil, the funicular railway service is opened to the public on April 25. Dato' Lee Kah Choon, director of the PHC, said that the trains will run on charity for a week. "The proceeds from the charity sale of tickets will be channelled to the Penang State Welfare for donation to the underprivileged identified by the state government." Read here.

Singapore Aerospace spreads its wings over Penang

Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing will set up a subsidiary in Penang as part of a RM500mil investment. The subsidiary, Aviatron (M) Sdn Bhd, will have its facility constructed ona built up area of more than 150,000 square feet. It will be tasked with the manufacturing of airplane parts.

"We decided to invest in Malaysia as it offers a market oriented economy and pro-business policies, a dynamic and vibrant business environment with the ideal pre-requisites for growth and profits, proximity and the best part is both countries share similar culture," said chairman Philip Yeo. Read here.

Since 2005, the federal government has approved some RM3.1bil in aerospace investments in the country. The global aerospace market has been forecast to grow by 5.1% over the next 10 years. Read here.

Other news

• Penang: Easier to win lottery than to find bus routes info: I’ve been ‘enjoying’ Penang’s public transport system only for a few weeks now, but even after that short period of time, there can be no doubt that what is in place right now is not doing the job. Read here.
• Guides from Penang rake in RM65,000: The Penang Girl Guides Association (PGGA) has raised more than RM65,000 for victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami. Read here.
• Jump in Penang property prices: The most significant feature in Penang's property market last year was the marked increase in prices in some established housing areas on the island, with single storey and double-storey terraced houses breaching the RM580,000 and RM800,000 respectively. Read here.
• Powerful figures behind vices: Several influential and powerful figures are behind illicit activities that include operating gambling dens in Penang, said state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob. Read here.
• Man kidnapped in China to return next week: The 34-year-old businessman, who was mistakenly held captive in China by a syndicate there, is due to return to Penang next week. Read here.

For more news on Penang, please click through to iGT NetBuzz April 18 to 14, 2011 here. For daily updates, "like" iGeorgeTown on Facebook or join us on Twitter.     

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