Lee calls for close collaboration on Kuching Urban Transportation System project to ensure successful completion

KUCHING (Oct 25): All parties involved in the implementation of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project must collaborate closely to ensure its timely and successful completion, said Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

During his visit to several KUTS project construction sites recently, the Transport Minister emphasised the importance of teamwork and coordination between Sarawak Metro and various state agencies, as well as contractors involved, to deliver Kuching’s first modern and efficient public transport system.

Among the key locations visited were Rembus Depot and sites of stations along the Blue Line alignment at Sungai Kuap Bridge and near the Sarawak Heart Centre as well as the Interchange station at Simpang Tiga.

Lee stressed communication between Sarawak Metro and all relevant agencies is needed to overcome challenges and ensure the project remains on schedule.

“Sarawak Metro must monitor this project closely so that it can update on its progress continuously on a timely basis so that the public are kept abreast with its development,” he said.

He also expressed his confidence that the project would significantly transform Kuching’s public transportation landscape once completed.

Also present for the site visit were Transport Ministry permanent secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng and representatives from several state agencies, including the State Financial Secretary’s Office, Economic Planning Unit Sarawak, State Implementation Monitoring Unit, Public Works Department Sarawak, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).

Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of SEDC, has been entrusted by the Sarawak government to modernise public transport through the KUTS project.

Phase 1 of the project includes the development of three lines: the Blue Line from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the city centre; the Red Line from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line from Pending to Damai.

Construction of the first package for the Blue Line is expected to complete by the fourth quarter of 2025 and all three lines are scheduled to be fully completed by the end of 2027.

The backbone of the KUTS project is the introduction of the zero-emission Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicles.

The ART vehicles will be operated on dedicated lanes, meaning they will not share the lane with other road users.

The ART hydrogen vehicles will run on rubber tyres and hence the dedicated lanes will be trackless.

The lanes will mostly be at-grade (road level) while certain sections of the alignment will be elevated.

The ART operation will be supported by a network of feeder buses, which will also consist of hydrogen-powered vehicles to offer the ‘first mile and last mile’ connectivity for commuters.