Sarawak: Towards sustainable mobility

Going green in the public transportation sector means considering alternative energy options such as hydrogen and electric. As hydrogen is currently being highlighted as a future energy option because of its clean and stable properties, Sarawak may eventually join the league of hydrogen-producing nations by 2050 should it succeed in tapping into the potential of its resources. In this edition, BizHive looks at the state’s transport system and its greener future:

This project also provides a platform for the introduction and promotion of green hydrogen technology in public transportation.

Mazli Mustaffa, Sarawak Metro CEO

Sarawak is making strides in transforming its public transport system, with plans in place not only to enhance public trasport options but also making current ones more sustainable.

As population increases, so too does the number of cars on the road, leading to traffic congestions in Kuching and other major towns in the state.

A study on urban traffic in Kuching showed an expected increase in number of vehicles on the road from 317,400 in 2015 to an anticipated 449,200 by the year 2030.

As such, the government plans to address this with an array of solutions, such as introducing an integrated smart traffic light system, a bus rapid transit system and an automated rapid transit system.

Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) wholly-ownedsubsidiarySarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro) has been entrusted by the Sarawak government to transform the public road transport system in major urban areas.

Sarawak Metro’s aim is to provide urban commuters a safe and reliable mode of travel that is also more convenient, comfortable and environmentally-friendly. Additionally, Sarawak Metro will be the asset and project owner of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS).

KUTS is a government-initiated project established in line with the state’s digital transformation agenda and the development of the Smart City initiative to address the need for a modern public transportation system.

It serves as a backbone system to minimise and alleviate traffic congestion towards Kuching’s city centre by improving connectivity via an efficient and integrated public transportation system.

KUTS will be developed in stages, with the project’s civil and structural works expected to commence in 2022, while the project’s system works are expected to begin the following year.

The first phase of the project will involve the construction of two urban lines covering a total distance of about 50km.

The Blue Line (Samarahan Line), which runs from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange, covers a distance of about 27km with stops at 14 stations, while the Red Line (Serian Line), which runs from Mile 12 Kuching-Serian Road to The Isthmus, will cover a distance of about 23km with stops at 13 stations. The first and last mile connectivity for the stations will be serviced by hydrogen fuel-cell feeder buses.

At the core of the KUTS project is the autonomous rail transit (ART), which has been deemed more feasible by the state government than the light rail transit (LRT) due to the cost effectiveness of the system.

The ART vehicle will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, in tandem with the state government’s aspiration to develop the hydrogen economy and realise the government’s Green Hydrogen Agenda in becoming an important producer of green hydrogen for the region.

The choice of using hydrogen fuel cell to power the ART is also in support of the government’s move to decarbonise Sarawak’s public transportation system.

“This project also provides a platform for the introduction and promotion of green hydrogen technology in public transportation,” Sarawak Metro chief executive officer (CEO) Mazli Mustaffa said adding that public support is vital to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of this project.

Once in operation, Sarawak’s ART will be the first vehicle of its kind in the world to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

To note, Abang Johari had previously stated that the ART transport system is expected to be ready by 2025.