KUCHING: The state government is working together with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to improve the public transport system in the Sarawak. According to the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg, the federal government through SPAD has recommended that the state buses system to be put under a consortium company, in order to improve the public bus transportation system.
“One of their recommendations is to have new buses, but still, the buses are using diesel fuel. In this regard, the state government has decided the buses to be changed into electric-powered buses. “Although the cost to provide electric buses will be higher but the consortium can reduce the number of buses at first, in order to balance the cost which can be used to purchase electric powered buses,” he said at a press conference after launching the Inter-Travel Continental Sdn Bhd new premises here yesterday.
He added the state government is willing to share the cost in order to provide environmental-friendly transportation to the local people and also the foreigners. Johari also noted that the implementation of electric-powered buses will take three years.
“It would cost about RM50 million for the implementation,” he said, adding the state will start a pilot project with three hydrogen buses in Kuching. According to him, a feeding station for the hydrogen buses will be built in Bintawa this year.
