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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 6: The Sarawak government is set to acquire 38 units of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), catering to the initial three lines of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) network that would connect Samarahan to Kuching.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised this commitment after officially launching the engineering run and Stage 2 of the proof-of-concept (POC) exercise for the hydrogen-powered ART prototype vehicle at SEDC Tower here today.
He also took a test ride of the ART vehicle together with other distinguished guests along the engineering run route at the Isthmus.
“The ride is comfortable and despite so many passengers on board, the ART vehicle is running smoothly,” he told reporters during a press conference today.
Abang Johari also announced plans to implement a cashless system connected to S Pay Global, with consideration for introducing special fares during its implementation stage to encourage the public to use this new mode of transportation.
“It will have its own designated lanes with the first being implemented along the Kota Samarahan Expressway, so it will definitely run on schedule and ensure punctuality.
“Furthermore, a mobile application will be developed to provide ART schedule information,” he explained.
Additionally, the ART vehicle can be expanded to a maximum of five coaches, and Abang Johari said if there is demand, consideration will be given to add more coaches, including a designated coach for passengers carrying certain products like durian.
When questioned about the role of a driver in the ART vehicle despite it being autonomous, he explained that the driver serves to oversee and monitor the system just like a pilot on an airplane on autopilot.
The Premier stressed the transit’s benefits for the public, especially low-income individuals who will gain access to reliable, flexible, and affordable transportation within Kuching, as well as how it would alleviate traffic congestion.
“People can park their cars at ART stations and take the ART to get to their destinations. Furthermore, connectivity will also be supported by a fleet of feeder buses to housing estates.
“In the long run, this will enhance the public transport system and will also facilitate housing development, making comfortable and convenient public transportation an attractive option. It will also cater to tourists travelling to their destinations such as from Kuching City straight to Damai,” he added.
Recognising the numerous advantages of this project, Abang Johari pointed out that the Sarawak government is putting substantial investment in transforming Sarawak’s public transportation system, with emphasis on environmental sustainability.
Sarawak’s public transport system has come a long way, evolving from conventional green buses operated by Sarawak Transport Company and blue busses by Chin Lian Loong to the state-of-art green mobility represented by the ART system today.
Phase 1 of the KUTS project encompassing three lines—the Blue Line from Rembus to Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange; the Red Line from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line from Pending to Damai—is scheduled to start operation in stages, from the fourth quarter of 2025.
Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Sarawak Metro and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain were among those present. — DayakDaily
