Kuching LRT

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Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS)
Kuching(Night).jpg
Kuching City at night
Overview
Native nameSistem Pengangkutan Bandaraya Kuching  (Malay)
Owner - Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)
LocaleKuching, Samarahan and Serian
Transit typeBus rapid transit - Guided bi-articulated bus
Number of lines3
Websitewww.mysarawakmetro.com
Operation
Began operation2025; 3 years' time (2025)[1]
Operator(s)
Technical
System length155.20 km (96 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The Kuching LRT was a proposed light rapid transit (LRT) system network in Kuching as one of the method to ease traffic congestion in the city.[2] It was to be constructed using state funds.[2][3] The proposed LRT lines will connect Kuching to Samarahan and Serian.[4] Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg promised to build the first Sarawak LRT soon to avoid rising costs,[5] with Chinese companies offering their expertise to collaborate in the construction.[6] The project is funded by the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS).[7]

First plan - Light Rapid Transit[]

The construction of the RM10.8 billion project was expected to commence by 2019 and was scheduled to be operational by 2024.[8] It was proposed that the LRT will use hydrogen fuel cell rolling-stock with a travel speed of 70–140km/h.[9]

The hydrogen fuel cell trains were in line with the state government’s vision to develop a hydrogen economy, as part of its green initiative. Aside from hydrogen-powered trains, Kuching will also be the first city in the country to have hydrogen-powered buses.[10]

Planned routes[]

On 29 March 2018, the Chief Minister released the routes and stations of three of the six lines with 155.2 kilometers of track[11] to be completed in 2024, while the remaining three lines to be implemented at a later stage.[8] A Government-linked company (GLC) called Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd[12] has been registered to manage the LRT system.[11]

Line Origin – Destination Landmark nearby proposed stations Distance & Stations
   Kota Samarahan to Damai via Sungai Batu, REMBUS, Kota Samarahan, Summer Mall, Aiman Mall, INTAN/SALCRA/UiTM, UNIMAS, Sarawak Heart Centre, La Promenade, Riveria, eMart, PPKS, Wisma Wan, Vivacity, Simpang Tiga, Swinburne, Jalan Tabuan, Jalan Central Timur, Police HQ, Hikmah Exchange, Jalan Hashim Jaafar, Medan Raya, Sarawak Stadium, Hospital Sarawak, Bandar Baru Samariang, Mara, Rampangi, Salak, Sg. Batu, Buntal, Santubong, DAMAI CENTRAL 62.4km, 25 stations.
   Serian to Senari via Siburan, SOUTH DEPOT, Serian, Pasar Baki, Tapah, Beratok, Duranta, Siburan, Seratau, Beverly Park, JPJ, Kota Padawan, Everwin, Penrissen, Kuching Sentral, Kuching International Airport, BDC, Gala City, City One, Simpang Tiga, JPN, The Spring Shopping Mall, Chung Hua Middle School No. 3, Jalan Tun Razak, SMK Pending, Bintawa, ISTHMUS, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Demak Laut, Demak Laut Convention Centre, Senari Port, Bako, Muara Tebas, DEEP SEA PORT 82km, 25 stations.
   City Dispersal Line Kuching City Waterfront, UTC, Jalan Abell, Padungan, Padungan Central, Three Hills Park, Tanah Putih, Pending, Jalan Tun Salahudin, Darul Hana, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Medan Raya, Jalan Hashim Jaafar, Hikmah Exchange 10.8km, 13 stations.

Shelving[]

However, on 1 September 2018, the Chief Minister announced that the project has been placed on hold, citing that the funds allocated to the project will instead be used to build basic amenities for Sarawak's rural areas.[13]

A guided bi-articulated buses at Yibin ART T1 line.

Second plan - Bus Rapid Transit[]

In July 2019, the Chief Minister said that the LRT project will be built using artificial intelligence (AI) technology which will remove the need for conventional rails and bringing down the cost of the project.[14] By September, the government of Sarawak choose China's Automated Rapid Transit (ART) system than LRT due to its more affordable cost where the state transport minister said it will be ready by 2022.[15][16] The ART is a type of guided bus running on batteries.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/sarawak-sistem-transit-aliran-autonomi-mula-beroperasi-2025-257707 Sarawak: Sistem Transit Aliran Autonomi mula beroperasi 2025
  2. ^ a b Samuel Aubrey (19 March 2017). "CM: Kuching – Serian LRT under study". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Sarawak unveils plan for public transport link from Kuching to Serian". Borneo Bulletin. 19 March 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Sarawak Could Have LRT System Up and Running by 2020". New Straits Times. Property Hunter. 19 April 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  5. ^ Sharon Ling (29 April 2017). "Kuching to have LRT – 'We don't want to be like KL'". The Star. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  6. ^ Lim How Pim (30 April 2017). "China offers expertise in building Sarawak's future LRT system". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  7. ^ vernonchancom (31 March 2018). "Kuching LRT ready by 2024, will use hydrogen fuel cell trains". VERNONCHAN.COM. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  8. ^ a b Rintos Mail (29 March 2018). "LRT lines connecting Kuching, Samarahan and Serian to be operational by 2024". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  9. ^ "Sarawak's LRT to use hydrogen fuel cell trains". The Star. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  10. ^ vernonchancom (31 March 2018). "Kuching LRT ready by 2024, will use hydrogen fuel cell trains". VERNONCHAN.COM. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  11. ^ a b "The Kuching LRT". Kuching Borneo. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  12. ^ Chan, Vernon (31 March 2018). "Kuching LRT ready by 2024, will use hydrogen fuel cell trains". VERNONCHAN.COM. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  13. ^ Sulok Tawie (1 September 2018). "No LRT for Sarawak for time being, CM confirms". Malay Mail. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  14. ^ "LRT project may use new AI tech to 'read' tracks — CM". The Borneo Post. 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  15. ^ Samuel Aubrey (21 September 2019). "CM: Sarawak decides on ART to improve public transport". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  16. ^ Rintos Mail (24 September 2019). "Sarawak's ART public transport system ready for action in 2022, says transport minister". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
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