KUCHING: Kuching has been selected for a pilot project to use the autonomous rapid transit (ART) system expected to be operational in three years’ time.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg when announcing the project in July said the ART system is similar to a train except that it runs on tyres instead of rail.
It also has equipment that allows it to read its passage on the road.
“The system is also capable of carrying up to five carriages, with each carriage capable of carrying up to 85 passengers. This means that it can carry up to 500 people at a time.
“What’s more important is the cost is significantly lower than the light rail transit (LRT) system which requires the construction of overpass.
“The cost can be just one-third of the cost of LRT. We are still looking into this opportunity and if it is worth it, it is likely that the system will be used in Kuching,” he explained.
Abang Johari added that the cost of buying ART does not pose a problem for the state government.
“What’s more important is that the route to implementing this system needs to be identified first so that it can operate optimally.
“To use this system, we need to build some dedicated lanes and autogates on the road, as well as cashless payment facilities using Sarawak Pay and so on.
“In addition, these lanes can also be used by electric buses,” he said, adding that after Kuching, the system would be implemented in Miri and the bigger towns.
According to him, a three-year period is required for the construction process. Before that a detailed study should be done before preparing the infrastructure and purchasing the carriages.
Accordingly, the Transport Ministry is expected to make a subsequent visit to China to visit the ART production plant.
So far, six cities in China are already using this system.
ART also uses electricity and once the battery is fully charged, ART is able to travel 70km per hour and will reach its destination in due course because its path is not blocked by traffic.
