Pilot free smart bus service for Miri to begin in October

MIRI (July 24): Sarawak’s pilot free public smart bus service here is expected to be launched in October, said Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

He said a fleet of 14 new buses is expected to arrive in September for inspection and commissioning ahead of the launch of this free public transportation service, which was announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg here in February.

Currently public bus services cost RM1 per person.

Lee said providing free bus services would help reduce traffic congestion, alleviate the financial burden of the B40 group, and boost tourism, while doing away with the token RM1 bus fare will eliminate the associated administrative costs incurred by bus companies.

“The free bus service will deploy 55-seater buses imported from Sweden, which the bus company will come up with the money and we pay them for the free bus service.

“The smart buses will be given priority passage and do not have to wait for the traffic light signal to turn green and the system will detect it coming from a certain distance away,” he said when officiating at the Miri Urban Transportation Action Plan (Mutap) stakeholders workshop today.

A Smart Bus App will make it more convenient for the public and tourists to check the bus schedule, while the traffic light system will ensure smooth passage due to prior detection of oncoming smart buses to ensure they are not caught in traffic jams.

Following public complaints, Lee said the project to change rickety old buses to smart buses was approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan, with the concept taking a leaf from the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system in Kuching.

Lee said incorporating seamless passage for these smart buses at traffic light intersections would result in on-time schedules and this efficiency could attract more people to use public transportation in the city.

On the stakeholder workshop, Lee said it aimed to develop actionable solutions for a sustainable transport system here, with strategies to enhance the urban transportation system up to 2035.

Separately, Lee suggested Sarawak should establish dedicated bicycle, pedestrian, and bus lanes in urban development apart from designating specific vehicle parking areas near bus stations.

“This will encourage the public to opt for efficient and cheap last-mile public transportation that will help reduce carbon emissions in Miri and other urban centres.

“Currently, the public are discouraged from cycling and walking due to the lack of cycling and covered pedestrian lanes in towns and cities here,” he said.