KUCHING, July 25: The state government is exploring the possibility of employing the latest train technology, the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system for its urban transportation solution.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was in Nanchang, China, to view the deployment of the ART system that formed part of the city’s urban transportation.
“The ART might be able to reduce the cost of implementation of the (rapid transit) lines, as it can run on non-elevated normal or dedicated roads,” Abang Johari said in a statement on today’s visit.
The state government is looking to set up a rapid transportation system to ease traffic congestion in the Kuching Division, with the proposed routes involving Kuching-Samarahan and Kuching-Serian lines.
“The ART system is running on tires developed by CRRC Corporations Ltd on a virtual track that can be a dedicated or normal existing roads, and controlled by a central command centre. It does not run on a conventional track.”
The chief minister and members of his delegation were taken on a ride on the train along a 5km-line through the city to have a first-hand experience on the ART, which can be powered by electricity or hydrogen.
They were also taken on a tour of the production facility near the city before attending a briefing by CRRC.
Abang Johari and his entourage, which included Assistant Minister for Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Hussain, arrived in China for a working visit yesterday. — DayakDaily
