By Amanda L
KUCHING, Oct 26: Sarawak’s planned Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system is expected to provide services at 15-minute intervals, as the State looks to modernise urban mobility while preserving its railway heritage.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he had been briefed on the proposed service frequency, which would allow commuters to plan their journeys more efficiently.
He also highlighted the historical significance of the planned ART central station, linking the State’s former railway network with its future transport system.
“That is why we want to revive our culture and heritage. The reason why the ART central station is here is because that was the first railway station in Sarawak’s history,” he said during the Sarawak Urban Forum (SUF) 2.0 at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today.
Abang Johari recalled Sarawak’s former railway network, which connected communities along its route, including areas towards Batu 10.
He said the development of modern transport infrastructure should recognise the State’s history while meeting the needs of a growing urban population.
The ART system is intended to improve connectivity across Kuching, particularly by providing an alternative to road travel amid traffic congestion.
Abang Johari highlighted the need to diversify infrastructure and modernise public transport to improve connections between residential areas and the city centre.
Citing the Sejingkat Bridge, he recalled how a friend from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) told him that the bridge had reduced his journey from Kuching to the university to about 25 minutes.
Without the bridge, the journey would have taken longer because of traffic congestion, he added.
Beyond transport, Abang Johari emphasised that future-ready cities must incorporate modern technology and urban planning while preserving the cultural heritage that gives communities their identity.
He also called for sufficient green spaces and public areas to be incorporated into urban development, allowing residents to enjoy a better quality of life and maintain social connections.
He said Sarawak’s cities must be environmentally friendly and convenient for residents while protecting the State’s cultural heritage as development progresses. — DayakDaily
