KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has refined the free electric bus service to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre to better meet tourist needs, particularly by aligning travel schedules with orangutan feeding times.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the adjustment was made after observations showed that some bus trips previously recorded low passenger numbers due to visitors arriving after feeding sessions had ended.
“There are two feeding sessions daily, around 10.00 am and between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
“The bus schedules have now been adjusted so that visitors can arrive on time and fully enjoy the experience,” he said during a trial ride of the service from Electra House today.
The free service, provided by the Sarawak Government through the ministry, caters to both tourists and members of the public, with routes passing selected hotels before heading to the wildlife centre.
Abdul Karim said the existing route remains largely unchanged, but scheduling improvements were necessary to maximise usage and enhance visitor satisfaction.
Currently, four fully electric buses are operating under the programme, which has been in place for the past five years.
He added that the initiative reflects Sarawak’s commitment to environmentally friendly transportation.
“We are satisfied with the facilities and service provided by the bus operator. This initiative supports sustainable tourism while offering a convenient and free option for visitors and locals alike,” he said.
He stressed that while the service is designed primarily to support tourism, it remains accessible to local residents, including those from Kuching, Sibu and Miri, who wish to travel to destinations such as the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Damai, including Sarawak Cultural Village, free of charge.
According to him, the routes operate at designated times, with schedules and route information available through the official website.
Abdul Karim noted that Kuching is often viewed as the representative face of Sarawak by visitors, making it important for the city to offer efficient and visitor-friendly transport services.
“The service supports tourism movement within Kuching and nearby destinations, while also reflecting Sarawak’s push towards greener urban transport through the use of fully electric buses,” he added.
