By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 22: Kuching is the first city outside China to implement the hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system.
Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the Sarawak government has decided on the ART system over the Light Rail Transit (LRT) because ART is a more flexible, cost-effective, and sustainable transport option to meet the needs of the Rakyat.
“ART systems are known to be less expensive to construct compared to LRT. This is because ART can be built on existing roads and does not require the extensive infrastructure that LRT does.
“In comparison to the cost of the LRT project in Klang Valley, the estimated cost of ART in Kuching is approximately one-third of the cost of LRT.
“Presently, the ART estimated cost in Kuching is about RM70 million per kilometre compared to RM270.27 million per kilometre of LRT in Klang Valley,” said Lee in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) held at New DUN Complex today.
He said ART systems could be easily expanded and modified to meet changing transportation needs because ART vehicles are more flexible, whereby they can be added or removed from the network system without affecting the overall operation.
“Kuching’s ART will be a more sustainable transportation option in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals because it will be powered by green hydrogen.
“In this regard, it is important for everybody to understand the reason behind the move by the Sarawak government to develop ART in Sarawak,” he said.
Following that, Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, reported on ART development in various parts of the world, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia and China. — DayakDaily
