Sarawak Metro staff, apprentices get hands-on training ahead of ART launch

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Jan 19: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd has ramped up preparations for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) with a 10-day attachment programme in Selangor, giving staff and Young Talent Programme (YTP) apprentices hands-on experience with Prasarana Malaysia Berhad.

According to a press release, 18 participants including staff and YTP apprentices under Sarawak Metro’s SEED initiative took part. Eleven trained with Prasarana’s Rapid Rail Ampang Line team to gain real-world experience in a ‘Grade of Automation 2’ environment, while the rest learned bus operations, maintenance, depot management and customer service at Prasarana Bus Academy.

The programme, which wrapped up on Dec 24, 2025, included a closing ceremony at Prasarana headquarters in Ara Damansara, where certificates were handed out by Zaki Mohamad, Head of Learning and Development at Prasarana.

Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa emphasised the importance of providing Sarawak Metro’s young team with this type of exposure, especially with well-established public transport operators such as Prasarana.

“As we gear towards the commencement of our Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) service, which is scheduled to begin operations in the fourth quarter of this year, it is crucial that our employees are fully prepared.

“Gaining hands-on operational experience is therefore an essential part of our readiness efforts,” he said, while expressing his gratitude and appreciation to Prasarana for providing the opportunity to Sarawak Metro’s team to gain the invaluable experience through the attachment programme.

Mazli explained that Sarawak Metro also aimed to collaborate with other established public transport operators within the region for similar attachment programmes.

“We will continue to prepare our staff and this also includes similar attachment programmes with other public transports operators within the region for greater exposure and to enhance the practical knowledge and operational experiences of our staff,” he added.

Sarawak Metro, wholly owned by the Sarawak State Financial Secretary, is tasked with modernising public transport in the State. Phase 1 of KUTS will see three lines rolled out: Blue (Rembus–Hikmah Exchange), Red (Kuching Sentral–Pending) and Green (Pending–Damai).

The system will feature hydrogen-powered ART vehicles running on dedicated, trackless lanes, supported by feeder buses for first- and last-mile connectivity—part of the State’s push to decarbonise public transport and grow the hydrogen economy. – DayakDaily

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