KUCHING: The two-month engineering run for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) has fulfilled its objective of gathering the necessary data for the prototype zero-emission vehicle.
The focus of the engineering run, which was conducted at the Isthmus in September and October, was to gather technical data with emphasis on the ART vehicle’s movement guidance system and the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.
Minister for Transport, Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin visited the construction site of the ART dedicated lane to get the latest updates on the work progress as well as preparation with the second state of proof of concept (POC), to be held sometime in November.
“It is anticipated that the dedicated lane will be substantially completed by mid-November, after which preparations for the POC exercise site will begin with the road marking works and calibration works for the ART.
“This POC exercise will evaluate the feasibility of the prototype unit for the final design of the ART vehicle and the fact that it will be carried out on the actual alignment,” Sarawak Metro said in a press release.
Sarawak Metro added that similar to the engineering run, the POC exercise will not be open to the public, although relevant stakeholders will be invited to take test rides on the prototype ART vehicle during the POC exercise period.
“The ART is the backbone of the Kuching Urban Transformation System (KUTS) project, which aims to modernise public transportation and ease traffic congestion in Greater Kuching.
“The KUTS project, which is under the purview of Ministry of Transport Sarawak, will be implemented, operated and maintained by Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
“Covering a total distance of 70km, Phase 1 of the KUTS project involves the development of the Blue Line, Red Line and Green Line, which are scheduled to begin passenger service in stages, starting from the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Under Phase 1 of the KUTS project, the Blue Line will be from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the city centre; the Red Line, from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line, from Pending to Damai.”
