KUCHING: Pilot operations of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) are expected to begin by the end of this year with 55 hydrogen-powered feeder buses set to be deployed to support the system.
Sarawak Metro director of Corporate Communication, SEED Programme and Bumiputera Relations Alexius Barieng said the first hydrogen bus unit is slated to arrive in September.
“This will follow the arrival of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) unit, which is expected to arrive mid-year. By year-end, we will commence pilot operations for both systems,” he said as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
Earlier, Alexius led a Sarawak Metro delegation on a courtesy call on UKAS director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan and senior officers on Wednesday (Apr 1).
Beyond introducing zero-emission transport technology, Alexius said Sarawak Metro is also prioritising the development of local talent through its Socioeconomic Enhancement Development (SEED) Programme.
He said the initiative includes sending young apprentices to China for a four-week industrial attachment, providing hands-on exposure to manufacturing processes and advanced transportation technologies.
“Participants will undergo a four-week training in China to gain direct knowledge of the manufacturing process. The first group will depart in mid-April, followed by the second group around May,” he said.
Since its introduction in 2020, a total of 40 apprentices have participated in the programme and have since been absorbed as full-time staff of Sarawak Metro, playing a key role in the implementation of the KUTS project.
Also present during the courtesy visit were Sarawak Metro senior manager of Promotion and Public Relations Alwana Ishak, senior manager of Media, Corporate Communication, SEED Programme and Bumiputera Relations Letitia Samuel, and assistant manager of Media Kuan Thai Far.
