The 55 hydrogen-powered buses will be manufactured by a joint venture comprising SKS Coachbuilders and Sun Credit.
Procuring the Hydrogen Buses Is One of Sarawak Metro’s First Steps in Implementing the KUTS Project
Sarawak Metro has awarded a contract worth over RM122 million (GBP21.63 million) to a joint venture (JV) created by SKS Coachbuilders and Sun Credit. The JV company will design and manufacture, among others, 55 single-deck hydrogen fuel cell feeder buses.
The hydrogen-powered feeder buses will support the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system network, under the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project, in providing first and last-mile connectivity.
The contract signing ceremony was held last Thursday, October 24, 2024. Sarawak Metro was represented by its CE Mazli Mustafa, while SKS Coachbuilders director Muhamad Zaidi Toha and Sun Credit chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai signed for the JV company. The ceremony was witnessed by SKS Coachbuilders CEO Datuk Roy Soo Kum Kin and Sun Credit Director Timothy Lim Teng.
Mazli said the award of this contract represents a significant step towards building a more reliable, convenient, and eco-friendly public transport network in Kuching. “To the JV company, let us work together towards this goal for the betterment of Sarawak’s public transportation system,” he said as reported by Bernama.
Sarawak Metro, a subsidiary of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), is tasked with the implementation, operation, and maintenance of the KUTS project under the Sarawak Transport Ministry. The backbone of the KUTS project is the introduction of zero-emission Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicles that would move on rubber tyres and operate on dedicated trackless lanes.
The lanes will mostly be “at-grade” (road level) while certain sections of the alignment will be elevated.
The ART operation will be supported by a network of feeder buses, which will also consist of hydrogen-powered vehicles to offer the ‘first mile and last mile’ connectivity for commuters.
The move to use hydrogen is in line with the Sarawak government’s aspirations to advance the hydrogen economy and decarbonise public transport in Sarawak.
