KUCHING: European Union (EU) Ambassador to Malaysia Michalis Rokas and his delegation embarked on a test ride aboard the prototype unit of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicle following a visit to Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) on Thursday (Oct 12).
SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Hussain and Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd’s (Sarawak Metro) chief executive officer (CEO) Mazli Mustaffa were among those who accompanied Rokas on the test ride along the engineering route at Jalan Keruing at the Isthmus.
Accompanying Rokas on the visit to SEDC and the test ride was the delegation of the EU to Malaysia’s Trade and Economic Relations Head of Section, Minister Counsellor Denis Baresch.
Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) and the senior management of SEDC, Sarawak Metro, SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd, and EMG JV Sdn Bhd.
Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of SEDC, has been entrusted to implement, operate, and maintain the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) Project.
The KUTS Project which is developed in phases, aims to modernise the public transport system as well as ease traffic congestion in Greater Kuching.
Phase 1 of the KUTS Project is the development of three lines – the Blue Line, the Red Line, and the Green Line and is scheduled to start operation in stages, from the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Blue Line, covering a distance of 27.5km, is from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Kuching city centre; the Red Line (12.3km) is from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line (30km) from Pending to Damai Central.
Sarawak Metro is adopting the hydrogen power for the ART vehicles, in line with the Sarawak government’s aspirations to decarbonise public transport and advance the hydrogen economy.
The ART vehicles will run on rubber tyres and will be operated on trackless dedicated lanes, either at-grade (road level) or elevated, and will not share the road with other road users.
The ART operation will be supported by a feeder bus network, which will also use hydrogen-powered vehicles to offer the ‘first mile and last mile’ connectivity for commuters.
