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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

First Phase of KUTS Project in Full Swing

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At the Dewan Undangan Sarawak (DUS) sitting that took place in November 2024,  the Premier of Sarawak YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg announced an allocation of RM1.42 billion under the 2025 Sarawak Budget for the implementation of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project next year.

He added that with the funding, the project will concentrate on four key components: the construction of three Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) lines, the Rembus Depot main building, the feeder bus depot, and mass production of ART vehicles and feeder buses.

“These initiatives not only promote economic growth but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions.

“This aligns with our pledge to drive green mobility and support the global endeavour to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050, promoting a cleaner environment and inclusive growth for all,” he said.

KUTS is expected to provide a smarter and more seamless public transport system in Sarawak, improving and even transforming land connectivity between urban and rural areas.

Implemented by Sarawak Metro – a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation – under the purview of the Ministry of Transport Sarawak, the project also aims to minimise traffic congestion, and boost the State’s productivity and economic growth in the long run.

Serving as the backbone of KUTS is the hydrogen-powered ART, which will be operated on dedicated lanes that are designed not to be shared with other road users.

In addition to being trackless – given that ART vehicles are moving on rubber tyres – these lanes will either be at road level or elevated.

The ART vehicles will then be complemented by a network of feeder buses, ensuring first- and last-mile connectivity for commuters.

To guarantee first- and last-mile connectivity of the KUTS for communities a network of hydrogen-powered feeder buses will complement the ART vehicles. Photo courtesy of Sarawak Metro

Powered by hydrogen fuel cells, these buses will run within a three-kilometre radius of each station, offering a more convenient access and enhanced connectivity for passengers.

At present, the KUTS project is in its first phase of development, involving among others the construction of the aforementioned three lines totalling 69.9 kilometres scheduled to be fully completed by 2027.

These lines are the Blue Line from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the centre of Kuching City; the Red Line from Kuching Sentral to Pending; and the Green Line from Pending to Damai.

Progress on this phase as of November 2024, according to Minister for Transport Sarawak YB Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, is at 25.8 per cent, with over RM840 million having spent thus far. 

Minister for Transport Sarawak YB Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin (front, second right during a work visit on the first unit of Sarawak’s ART vehicle at the CRC manufacturing facility in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China, in September 2024. Photo from Sarawak Metro Facebook page

“The total number of main package contracts for the KUTS Phase One project awarded to date comprises nine packages.

“There are five infrastructure package contracts, two system package contracts, the Bus Integrated System (BIS) contract, and the recently-awarded contract to supply hydrogen buses.

“These packages, particularly the infrastructure and bus contracts, were awarded through an open tender process in full compliance with governance and procurement regulations, ensuring transparency, competitiveness and value for money,” he said in his winding-up speech during the DUS sitting on 18 November 2024.

Furthermore, construction of the Rembus Depot, the Blue Line and the Red Line which has been in full swing since earlier this year is ongoing, consisting of foundation work for the main buildings, utility relocation, structural work for the stations, and the building of a new ART bridge at Sungai Kuap, among others.

Dato Sri Lee also revealed the possibility of developing another line in future phases of KUTS. Dubbed the “Yellow Line”, the proposed alignment will link Moyan to Sarawak General Hospital to address connectivity needs in areas that are currently underserved.

ProjectCivil and Structure Works Details
Blue Line Package 1Construction work commenced in Q4 2023Alignment from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Stutong in KuchingTotal length of alignment: 15 kmIncludes construction of seven stations and one bridge crossing at Sungai KuapScheduled to complete by end of 2025
Red Line PackageConstruction commenced in Q4 2023Alignment from Kuching Sentral to PendingTotal length of alignment: 12.3 kmIncludes construction of seven stations including an interchange station at Simpang Tiga in Kuching, which serves to integrate the Blue Line and the Red LineScheduled to complete by end of 2026
Rembus ART DepotConstruction of structure works for the depot commenced in February 2024Construction works include a mechanical workshop, operation control centre, stabling yard, test track, infrastructure workshop, administrative building, and hydrogen refuelling plant

Table 1: Civil and structure works details for Blue Line Package 1, Red Line Package and Rembus ART Depot. These projects are carried out in Phase One of the KUTS Project, which have started in the fourth quarter of 2022. (Source: Sarawak Metro in a written response to Smart Sarawak)

References:

About Us. (n.d.). Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd. https://www.mysarawakmetro.com/about-kuching-urban-transportation-system

BERNAMA. (2024a, May 16). Sarawak Metro: First phase of Kuching Urban Transportation System to be operational by end-2027. Malay Mail. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/16/sarawak-metro-first-phase-of-kuching-urban-transportation-system-to-be-operational-by-end-2027/134728

BERNAMA. (2024b, November 18). Sarawak KUTS Phase One at 25.8%, says state Transport Minister. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/18/sarawak-kuts-phase-oneat-258-says-state-transport-minister

Louis, S. (2024, November 11). Sarawak Budget 2025: RM1.42 bln to continue ART project in Kuching. DayakDaily. https://dayakdaily.com/sarawak-budget-2025-rm1-42-bln-to-continue-art-project-in-kuching/

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