KUCHING: Sarawak Metro today (Aug 1) signed its first Station Naming Rights Agreement for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), with the SM07 Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) station at The NorthBank, Stutong officially named The NorthBank IBRACO.
The agreement makes IBRACO Berhad the first strategic partner under Sarawak Metro’s Station Naming Rights Programme.
He said the KUTS project continued to make steady progress, with works advancing across the alignment, stations, depot facilities and supporting systems as it moved towards system integration and operational readiness.
“We have achieved several key milestones and are progressively transitioning from the construction phase towards system integration and operational readiness,” he said at the signing ceremony today.
Lee said the Stage 1 Hydrogen Production Plant at the Rembus Depot was progressing well and would be capable of producing up to one tonne of green hydrogen daily to support pilot operations and the commencement of ART services.
He added that the recent arrival and assembly of the first two ART vehicles in Kuching was another significant milestone, enabling integration with supporting infrastructure and systems ahead of pilot operations.
While describing public transportation as essential for improving connectivity, supporting economic growth and enhancing quality of life, Lee said ensuring KUTS remained financially sustainable was equally important.
“That is why I am particularly encouraged to see Sarawak Metro taking the initiative to introduce the Station Naming Rights Programme.
“This reflects forward thinking, sound business planning and a willingness to adopt international best practices that have been successfully implemented in many leading cities around the world,” he said.
He said a modern public transportation system could not rely solely on passenger fares, noting that initiatives such as transit oriented development, station naming rights, advertising and retail opportunities would help diversify revenue sources.
Congratulating IBRACO on becoming the programme’s first strategic partner, Lee said the company’s participation reflected the private sector’s confidence in Sarawak’s public transportation system.
He expressed hope that the agreement would encourage more corporations, institutions and local businesses to work with Sarawak Metro in building an innovative and commercially sustainable transportation ecosystem for the benefit of Sarawakians.
