KUCHING: Several routes within major parts of the city will soon be patronised by hydrogen buses on a two-week trial run.
Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) general manager Abdul Hadi Datuk Abdul Kadir revealed that they had received the approval from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (LPKP) for the commissioning of its hydrogen bus service in Kuching.
“We are pleased with this latest development. The hydrogen buses will be going around the city as part of the trial run from August 1 to 14,” he said, adding that three buses would be involved.
However, he disclosed that the buses would not be ferrying passengers during the trial run.
“It is important for the buses not to carry any passengers during the trial period because we need to monitor its performance while traveling along the designated routes, and to address any refuelling issues that may arise due to contributing factors such as weather, heavy traffic, and so forth,” he said in a press statement issued yesterday.
He added that the trial run would be closely monitored by officers from SEDC in addition to engineers from Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), Foshan Feichi Automobile Manufacturing Co, Ltd of China and Linde Hydrogen FuelTech.
“The purpose of the trial run is to test the buses on their hydrogen fuel consumptions levels, which will then facilitate the determination of the filling capacity and the optimisation of the hydrogen plant’s operation.”
The routes that will be covered are along Kuching Waterfront at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman to Damai Beach in Santubong, Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub to Medan Niaga Kubah Ria, Jalan Abell, Jalan Padungan, Jalan Central Timur, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Jalan Satok, Jalan Kulas, Jalan Muda Hashim and Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol.
