KUCHING, Oct 7: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd’s hydrogen bus shuttle service received an encouraging response from the public during the recently concluded Sarawak Agrofest 2023.
The service, which operated from Sept 22 to Oct 1, proved to be a resounding success as visitors flocked to utilise it for transportation to Celebration Square in Jalan Stadium, Petra Jaya.
During the Sarawak Agrofest 2023, Sarawak Metro offered six daily trips, running from 8.30am to 8.30pm.
This event, renowned as Sarawak’s largest agricultural expo, showcased the potential of this hydrogen-powered transportation option.
According to a media release today, Sarawak Metro currently operates a trial operation passenger service to gather data on the performance of its zero-emissions vehicles.
The data is to gauge the hydrogen buses’ performance in tropical weather and the local terrain. Data collected during this trial operation will be used to determine the make and design of the hydrogen bus that will support the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.
The future fleet of hydrogen buses will be used as feeder buses to provide the first and last mile connectivity for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system once Phase 1 of the KUTS project begins passenger service operation in stages by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, the current trial operation service for the hydrogen buses is for the Downtown Heritage Loop, taking passengers around the city centre; and the Damai Loop, which goes from the city to Damai Central.
The pickup point for this free service is at the bus stop in front of the Riverside Majestic Hotel, starting from 7.30am daily.
The Downtown Heritage Loop operates daily, while the Damai Loop operates only on weekends.
Details on the bus schedule are available on the Sarawak Metro website www.mysarawakmetro.com, and the ‘H2 Sarawak’ mobile app.
Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has been entrusted to develop, maintain, and operate the KUTS project, which aims to reduce traffic congestion in Greater Kuching. — DayakDaily
