Electric city bus launched, to begin operating 2019
KUCHING: The state’s first CRRC Electric City Bus was officially launched yesterday and is expected to begin operations early next year.
The pilot electric bus service route will run from Satok to iCom Square, covering a distance of more than 14 km.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, officiated at the launch. Masing said there would be a three-month free trial period once the bus service starts operating.
With a capacity of 53 passengers, the bus can travel about 300 kilometres when fully charged.
“For the prototype electric bus service that will operate in Kuching, only one bus is available as it is a pilot project.
“Eventually, we will have over 100 buses that will operate in stages and to also have its services extended to cities like Sibu and Miri,” Masing, who is Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, told a press conference after the launch.
Masing said each bus would cost between RM1.2 and RM1.4 million.
Masing also told reporters that the federal government had offered the state diesel buses, but the offer was rejected by the chief minister.
“Initially, the federal government offered us diesel buses, but it was rejected by the chief minister as he knows the impact these buses have on the environment,” Masing said.
For the pilot project here, the charging station would be located at Jalan Depo, according to Masing.
For the prototype electric bus service that will operate in Kuching, only one bus is available as it is a pilot project. Eventually, we will have over 100 buses that will operate in stages and to also have its services extended to cities like Sibu and Miri. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Chief Minister