BY JAMES WONG
KUCHING: The Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project is on track to begin revenue service in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to Mazli Mustaffa, the CEO of Sarawak Metro.
He also stated that the proof-of-concept (POC) exercise of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) will start with its engineering trial run from September to November of this year.
Mazli Mustaffa revealed that the manufacturer of the hydrogen-powered ART vehicle is preparing to ship the prototype, which is expected to arrive in Kuching around early to mid-August.
Subsequently, the ART will embark on its engineering run within the area of The Isthmus, Kuching for the purpose of the trial run.
Mazli Mustaffa added that they are also working with the Public Works Department (PWD) to prepare for the POC exercise at Kota Samarahan in November.
He made these statements during a courtesy call by New Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak at Sarawak Metro’s office, Ariva Gateway Kuching, on July 4.
On a related note, Mazli Mustaffa said that Sarawak Metro is in the midst of tendering several contracts for the KUTS project.
He added that they have already floated the tender for the Rembus Depot building works located at Kota Samarahan, along with a tender to procure 55 feeder buses.
Last year, the two main contracts of the KUTS project system works, namely System Package 1 and System Package 2, were awarded to EPR Mobilus GR JV Sdn Bhd and DOM-EEB Joint Venture (DOM-EEV JV), respectively.
The Rembus Depot advanced works were awarded to Hock Seng Lee Bhd last year.
Furthermore, Sarawak Metro has plans to introduce a ‘super-app’ alongside the KUTS to provide multiple services, including ticket purchase, shopping, a loyalty programme, and a trip planner.
Mazli Mustaffa explained that a super-app is crucial in ensuring a fully integrated public transportation system, and that their goal is to pioneer in this aspect, looking at how the world is moving towards digitisation.
He added that the metros overseas all have similar apps that allow users to carry out multiple tasks conveniently.
The KUTS project promises to revolutionise Sarawak’s urban transportation by offering a cleaner, more efficient, and interconnected transit system while mitigating the city’s traffic congestion.
The core of the KUTS lies in the ART vehicles, which utilise renewable hydrogen fuel cells as their power source.
To enhance the KUTS, the ART will be complemented by hydrogen fuel cell-powered feeder buses, ensuring first and last mile connectivity for transportation needs.
The KUTS project is currently at its first phase of development, where it is simultaneously progressing with the development of three lines: the Blue Line, Red Line, and Green Line.
The Blue Line is expected to commence revenue service in the fourth quarter of 2025, followed by the Red Line in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the Green Line in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The Blue Line will traverse from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the city centre, spanning a distance of 27.6 kilometres, while the Green Line will stretch from Pending to Damai Central in Santubong, covering 30 kilometres. The Red Line will extend from Kuching Central to Pending, with a total distance of 12.3 kilometres.
Also present at the courtesy call were Sarawak Metro Corporate Communications and Socio-Economic Enhancement Development (SEED) Programme and Bumiputera Relations director Alexius Barieng; Land Management and Business Development director Suhardi Mohamad Ali Yakop; Corporate Communication senior manager Letitia Samuel; SEED Programme manager Priscilla Annabel Bisop; and Promotion and Public Relations senior manager Alwana Ishak.
The delegation also included New Sarawak Tribune Editor-in-Chief Aden Nagrace, its Corporate Business Development senior manager Dorge Rajah, executive editor Harry Henry Julin, and sales manager Jason Chua.
