KUCHING: Sarawak’s adoption of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) is attracting greater global attention following Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture government’s plans to use a hydrogen-powered trackless tram to shuttle tourists to Mount Fuji.
According to Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa, a team from the Yamanashi Prefecture government had visited Kuching several months ago to learn more about the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.
“Our KUTS project team were able to provide valuable insights to the team from Yamanashi Prefecture and I believe this has in one way or another inspired the decision by the prefecture to look into adopting the ART system.
“In a way, we are also humbled to hear about this latest development, as it is a vindication of the work that our team is doing here in Kuching to transform the public transport system,” he said in a statement.
He added that Sarawak Metro is looking forward to further assisting the Yamanashi Prefecture team in enhancing its ART system to suit its specific needs.
“The news has also definitely been a big morale booster for our KUTS project team, especially when we saw our prototype ART hydrogen vehicle being featured when the announcement was made in Japan.”
Based on several local Japanese news outlets, Yamanashi governor Kotaro Nagasaki told a press conference in late November that the prefecture planned to use a hydrogen-powered ‘trackless tram’ to shuttle tourists to and from the foot of Mount Fuji.
The news outlets also reported that the Fuji tram option would significantly reduce construction costs, while still allowing the authorities to control climate-damaging overcrowding during the summer season at the highest mountain in Japan.
Moreover, the media reports also quoted the Yamanashi governor explaining that the hydrogen-powered trams are expected to have two couplings and a capacity of up to 120 passengers.
He added that while the ART system designed by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) was being considered for the service, priority would be given to Japanese companies producing similar hydrogen-powered vehicles.
