KUCHING, Feb 19: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd has introduced a new route for its hydrogen bus service today that will cover more areas of the city including Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg and Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for the greater convenience of commuters.
The introduction of the new route coincided with the first anniversary of the hydrogen bus trial operation, which started offering free bus rides to the public on Jan 22 last year.
Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin emphasised that the first anniversary of the hydrogen bus trial operation was a major milestone for the public transport sector in Sarawak.
“Over this one-year period, we have proven that this green technology – hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) – can work well in a tropical climate and actually provides us with a glimpse of what’s possible in terms of making our cities cleaner with smart public transport systems.
“This is an exciting development, especially since the continued trial operation of these vehicles will serve to better prepare us for the Kuching Urban Transportation System, which will rely heavily on this green and clean technology,” he said when officiating at a simple ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of the hydrogen bus trial operation here, today.
The event was also attended by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)general manager Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir, Sarawak Metro chief executive officer (CEO) Mazli Mustaffa and SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd CEO Robert Hardin.
With these hydrogen buses in Kuching, Lee shared that Sarawak was learning more and more about the possibilities offered by the hydrogen economy and the vast potential of applications related to hydrogen fuel cells that will help the State reduce carbon emissions and create a cleaner environment.
He added that the hydrogen buses have also been a useful resource for Sarawak Energy Bhd as well as SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd, in terms of planning for the development of Sarawak’s green hydrogen economy.
Apart from providing a free bus service for the people of Kuching, Lee pointed out that 80 per cent of passengers had utilised the free WIFI provided on the hydrogen bus and that the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile apps and beacons were the first to be implemented in a city transport app in Southeast Asia with the implementation of the free WIFI on the bus.
He also highlighted that the trial operation had faced some issues since it was launched in January last year, especially challenges related to Covid-19 safety restrictions.
Although these issues have mostly been resolved, he believed that the trial operation for the hydrogen bus service was a vital part of the process of adopting new technology such as hydrogen fuel cells towards the decarbonisation of the public transport sector.
As such, he acknowledged the hard work by SEDC and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sarawak Metro as well as the cooperation shown by the bus manufacturer, Foshan Feichi Automobile Manufacture Co., Ltd (Feichi), in making sure that the hydrogen bus trial operation could be carried out well.
“I also want to congratulate SEDC and Sarawak Metro for introducing this new route for the hydrogen bus service, which I believe will provide the city folks with better options in terms of a more convenient, comfortable and environmentally-friendly mode of public transportation,” he said.
The new route introduced today was an extension of the Downtown Heritage Loop, with one of the significant new stops located at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg to serve passengers to and from SGH.
Apart from the Downtown Heritage Loop, which runs from 7.30am to 5.30pm daily, Sarawak Metro also provides two free rides to Damai Central on weekends, at 10am and 2pm, via the Damai Loop.
Journeys for both routes start from the bus stop in front of Riverside Majestic Hotel.
Meanwhile, SEDC chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Husain explained that the hydrogen bus trial operation has provided valuable insight into the workings of operating fleets of heavy hydrogen FCEVs, especially for public transport purposes.
“Our aspiration to have a cleaner public transport system in Sarawak has moved one step closer with the implementation of our hydrogen bus trial operation, which remains to be the only hydrogen bus service operating in Southeast Asia at the moment,” he said in a statement today.
He also acknowledged the role of Feichi in providing continuous support services and cooperation during the trial operation.
“We record our appreciation for the close cooperation established between our team at Sarawak Metro and Feichi during the trial run.
“Together with Feichi, we will continue to monitor, assess and analyse the performance of the hydrogen buses during the trial operation,” he said, adding that this was crucial in compiling, consolidating and evaluating the performance of the vehicles since Sarawak is the first in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to implement such an initiative. -DayakDaily
