Kuching LRT

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.[1] It was to be constructed using state funds.[1][2] The proposed LRT lines will connect Kuching to Samarahan and Serian.[3] Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg promised to build the first Sarawak LRT soon to avoid rising costs,[4] with Chinese companies offering their expertise to collaborate in the construction.[5] The project is funded by the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS).[6]

First plan

The construction of the RM10.8 billion project was expected to commence by 2019 and was scheduled to be operational by 2024.[7] It was proposed that the LRT will use hydrogen fuel cell rolling-stock with a travel speed of 70–140km/h.[8]

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.[9]

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[10] to be completed in 2024, while the remaining three lines to be implemented at a later stage.[7] A Government-linked company (GLC) called Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd[11] has been registered to manage the LRT system.[10]

  • Line  1  : Kota Samarahan to Damai via Sungai Batu, 62.4km, 28 stations.
  • Line  2  : Serian to Senari via Siburan, 82km, 26 stations.
  • Line  3  : City Line, tram, 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.[12]

A similar ART type bus in Yibin.

Second plan

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.[13] By September, the government of Sarawak choose China's Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system than LRT due to its more affordable cost where the state transport minister said it will be ready by 2022.[14][15] The ART is a type of guided bus running on batteries.

See also

References
  1. 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.
  2. "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.
  3. "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.
  4. Sharon Ling (29 April 2017). "Kuching to have LRT – 'We don't want to be like KL'". The Star. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  5. 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.
  6. vernonchancom (31 March 2018). "Kuching LRT ready by 2024, will use hydrogen fuel cell trains". VERNONCHAN.COM. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. "Sarawak's LRT to use hydrogen fuel cell trains". The Star. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  9. vernonchancom (31 March 2018). "Kuching LRT ready by 2024, will use hydrogen fuel cell trains". VERNONCHAN.COM. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  10. "The Kuching LRT". Kuching Borneo. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  11. 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.
  12. Sulok Tawie (1 September 2018). "No LRT for Sarawak for time being, CM confirms". Malay Mail. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  13. "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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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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