PENANG: Those wishing to go up Penang Hill on the iconic funicular train have until Sunday to do so as the service will stop from Monday for a RM63mil upgrading project which is expected to take at least seven months to complete.

The present system, which requires passengers to change trains at the middle station, will be replaced with a new system that takes passengers straight up the hill, non-stop.

It was earlier reported that the new system will be able to carry up to 80 people per trip in about 10 minutes compared to the present 87-year-old system which can only ferry 60 people on 30-minute trips.

Details at The Star - http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/20/nation/20100220175739&sec=nation