By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 4: Sarawak’s flagship Kuching Urban Transit System (KUTS), which will be the world’s first hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system outside China, has put the State on the map as a regional model for clean and future-ready public transportation.
Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin highlighted this milestone while speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd (Guangzhou) International Expo on New Energy and Digital Technologies for Public Transportation, held at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Centre in China today.
Themed “Smart Mobility Driven by Digital Innovation, Green Energy for Seamless Connectivity”, the Expo brought together global leaders in public transport and new energy development, in conjunction with the 23rd UITP Asia-Pacific Division Meeting.
In his keynote, Lee outlined Sarawak’s progress in sustainable mobility, green hydrogen development, and digital innovation in transport, underscoring the State’s vision of building a low-carbon, smart, and integrated public transport system.
He further showcased ongoing initiatives such as the Free Miri Smart Bus Programme, integrated with Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology through the Bus Signal Priority (BSP) system, and the E-Penambang Project, which upgrades traditional riverboats with electric propulsion supported by Sarawak’s first floating solar charging station.
Looking ahead, Sarawak has major plans including a new Kuching International Airport capable of handling 15 million passengers annually, the launch of Sarawak’s own airline AirBorneo, and the proposed Bintulu–Samalaju Transit System.
“Our transport transformation is not only about moving people, but about moving towards a greener, more connected, and more sustainable future,” Lee stressed.
During the Expo, Lee was also interviewed by People’s Public Transportation Journal, the only national-level comprehensive journal in China’s public transport industry. He reiterated Sarawak’s commitment to leveraging new energy and digital technologies to create sustainable transport solutions. — DayakDaily
