KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state hydrogen-powered Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) prototype vehicle has arrived and is now at Senari Port, here.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the vehicle arrived from China.
“With this ART, it will change our lives. This transportation will focus on our students in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Samarahan first.
“The students will use the ART, and the payment is through Sarawak Pay, which will give discounts or special fares for our students,” he said in his speech when officiating at the UNIMAS Tun Abang Haji Openg Digital Centre (TAHODC) on Friday.
Meanwhile, during a press conference, Abang Johari said the test drive for the ART vehicle will be done at the Kuching Isthmus.
“We will test it first there to make sure it is efficient, then we will proceed to test it between the Kuching-Samarahan route.
“Either it is through our new lane or on the road itself, if its own lane is not ready yet. We will try it first and manage the traffic flow.
“Once ART is in operation, everything will be digital. You enter and make payments digitally,” he said, adding the transportation system will make it easier for the students to travel from one place to another.
“The moment you have a convenience like this, people will send their children to study here. Not all of them will stay in the campus and they have to use the public transportation,” he added.
