KUCHING: The hydrogen bus service will now include stops at two vaccination centres (PPVs), namely at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya and the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) at The Isthmus.
In a statement, Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, explained that the free bus service to the two vaccination centres started on 21 June.
Sarawak Metro expressed hope that the service would provide the people in the city with greater accessibility to vaccination centres.
With four trips daily, the hydrogen bus departs from the bus stop in front of Riverside Majestic Hotel at 7.30am; 9.50am; 1.00pm and 3.20pm.
For those headed to the vaccination centre at Stadium Perpaduan, the route covered by this hydrogen bus service includes Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Main Bazaar, Saujana Multi-storey carpark area, Jalan Haji Taha, Jalan Satok, Jalan Matang, Jalan Semarak, Jalan Astana, and Jalan Stadium.
From Stadium Perpaduan, the bus continues on to Jalan Bako and Jalan Keruing and stopping at the vaccination centre at BCCK, before making the return loop to the stadium enroute to the Riverside Majestic Hotel.
Passengers intending to utilise this free bus service can wait at any bus stop along the route.
Apart from this dedicated bus service to these two vaccination centres, Sarawak Metro is also currently operating the Downtown Heritage Loop, which also starts from the bus stop in front of Riverside Majestic Hotel.
This route will serve those intending to go to the vaccination centre at Kozi Square, near Sarawak General Hospital.
The Downtown Heritage Loop operates eight trips daily, starting from 7.30am.
Just like the Downtown Heritage Loop, the route to the vaccination centres at Stadium Perpaduan and BCCK is considered part of Sarawak Metro’s trial operation service, to gather data in preparation for the State’s future plan to adopt hydrogen-powered feeder buses for the Automated Rapid Transit (ART) under the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.
During this trial operation, Sarawak Metro is also adhering strictly to all the standard operating procedures (SOPs) outlined by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, as part of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
These SOPs include requiring passengers to scan their body temperature when alighting the bus and to wear a face mask at all times. — DayakDaily
