This Content Is Only For Subscribers
KUCHING, Sept 12: Over 30 Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) representatives had the opportunity to ride in the prototype Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicle (H2V) last weekend.
According to a press statement issued by Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd today, the representatives were delegates from the 10th BIMP-EAGA Transport Cluster, who were recently in the city for a three-day meeting.
“Their ride on the prototype ART H2V, which is currently undergoing the engineering run at the Isthmus, was organised by the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS), Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, and EPR Mobilus GR JV (EMGJV) Sdn Bhd,” the statement read.
Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has been entrusted to implement, operate, and maintain the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.
Sarawak Metro also said that EMGJV is the main contractor for System Package 1 of the KUTS Project.
“The zero-emission ART vehicle is the backbone of the KUTS Project, a Sarawak government funded project aimed at modernising the public transport system in Sarawak.
“The KUTS Project will be developed in phases and Phase 1 will see the development of three lines—the Blue Line, the Red Line, and the Green Line.
“Phase 1 of the KUTS Project is scheduled to start operation in stages, from the fourth quarter of 2025.”
The Blue Line, covering a distance of 27.5km, will be from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Kuching City centre; the Red Line (12.3km) will be from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line (30km) will be from Pending to Damai Central.
“The ART vehicles will be operated on dedicated lanes and will not share the road with other road users.
“The lanes will either be at-grade (road level) or elevated. The ART vehicles run on rubber tyres and hence the dedicated lanes will be trackless.
“The ART operation will be supported by a feeder bus network, which will also use hydrogen-powered vehicles to offer the ‘first mile and last mile’ connectivity for commuters.”
Sarawak Metro added that the move to use hydrogen is in support of the Sarawak government’s aspirations to advance the hydrogen economy and to decarbonise public transport in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
