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Kuching Urban Transportation System

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Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS)
Official logo
Official logo
Overview
Native nameSistem Pengangkutan Bandaraya Kuching
OwnerSarawak Metro - Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)
LocaleGreater Kuching, Samarahan and Serian
Transit typeAutonomous Rail Rapid Transit - Guided bi-articulated bus
Number of lines3
Number of stations35
Websitewww.mysarawakmetro.com/kuts
Operation
Operation will start2026; 2 years' time (2026)[1]
Operator(s)Sarawak Metro
Number of vehicles38
Technical
System lengthFirst phase: 69.9 km (43 mi)
Top speed70 km/h (43 mph)

The Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) is an under-construction Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system network that serves Greater Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian. It is the first ART system network to be built outside of China and also the first metro rail system in the state of Sarawak which was touted as one of the methods to ease traffic congestion in the city of Kuching.[2] The project is currently constructed by Sarawak Metro using state funds provided by the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS).[2][3][4] The ART lines will connect Kuching to Samarahan and Serian as well as future lines to other parts of Greater Kuching.[5]

Initial LRT proposal

[edit]

The proposed construction of a RM10.8 billion Kuching light rapid transit (LRT) project was expected to commence by 2019 and was scheduled to be operational by 2024.[6] It was proposed that the LRT will use hydrogen fuel cell rolling-stock with a travel speed of 70–140km/h.[7]

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.[8]

Planned routes

[edit]

On 29 March 2018, the Chief Minister of Sarawak released the routes and stations of three of the six lines with 155.2 kilometers of track[9] to be completed in 2024, while the remaining three lines to be implemented at a later stage.[6] A government-linked company (GLC) called Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd[10] had been registered to manage the LRT system.[9]

Line Origin – Destination Landmark nearby proposed stations Distance & Stations
 1  Samarahan Line 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 62.4 km, 25 stations.
 2  Serian Line 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 82 km, 25 stations.
 3  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 10.8 km, 13 stations.
Map
Proposed route for the Kuching Urban Transportation System in 2018.[11]
Blue: Samarahan Line
Red: Serian Line

Samarahan Line (Line 1)

[edit]
Station Code Working Name Position Local
government 		Interchange / Notes
 SM0  Rembus (Provisional) At-grade MPKS Rembus Depot, near to Kampung Rembus
 SM1  Universiti Near to UNIMAS Pintu Timur, walking distance to The Summer Shopping Mall
 SM2  Melaban Connected with Aiman Mall
 SM3  Sigitin Near to Wisma SALCRA, Walking distance to UiTM Samarahan
 SM4  UNIMAS Elevated
 SM5  Heart Centre Walking distance to Sarawak Heart Centre
 SM6  Riveria Walking distance to La Promenade Mall
 SM7  Stutong MBKS Near to The NorthBank by IBRACO
 SM8  Wan Alwi Near to Tabuan Jaya Police Complex
 SM9  Viva Connected with Vivacity Megamall
 IS1  Simpang Tiga Near to Wisma Persekutuan Public Carpark, Interchange station with  2  Serian Line
 SM11  Jalan Tabuan Connected with The Spring Shopping Mall
 SM12  Jalan Central Timur DBKU Near to Kuching Public Works Department
 SM13  Jalan Badruddin Connected with Sarawak General Hospital
 SM14  Hikmah Exchange Near to Padang Pasir, Hikmah Exchange

Serian Line (Line 2)

[edit]
Station Code Working Name Position Local
government 		Interchange / Notes
 SR1  Batu 12/JPJ Elevated MPPadawan Batu 12 Depot
 SR2  Kota Padawan Near to 10th Mile Bazaar
 SR3  Penrissen MPKS Near to SMK Wira Penrissen
 SR4  Kota Sentosa MPPadawan Near to Sentosa Parade
 SR5  Kuching SentralBus interchange MBKS Connected with bus terminal
 SR6  Kuching International Airport Airport interchange Connected to airport terminal
 SR7  Pelita Height Near to RH Plaza
 SR8  Tun Jugah Near to Emporium
 SR9  Near to Swinburne University
 IS1  Simpang Tiga Near to Wisma Persekutuan Public Carpark, Interchange station with  1  Samarahan Line
 SR10  Jalan Tun Razak Near to Chung Hua Middle School No.3
 SR11  Pending Near to Puspakom
 SR12  Bintawa Near to Bintawa Industrial Estate
 SR13  Isthmus At-grade DBKU Near to Borneo Convention Centre Kuching

Shelving

[edit]

However, on 1 September 2018, the Chief Minister of Sarawak 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] Eventually, in July 2019, the Chief Minister of Sarawak said that the new 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] which culminated into adopting the Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit system from China.

Current ART proposal

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

In September 2019, the government of Sarawak ultimately decided to go with 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 Premier of Sarawak, Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg had initially promised to build the first Kuching ART soon to avoid rising costs,[16] with Chinese companies offering their expertise to collaborate in the construction.[17] In April 2022, Premier Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg disclosed to the Singaporean English daily newspaper, The Straits Times that the ART system will likely consist of 52.6 km of route and is expected to begin construction in the third quarter of the same year, with a projected operational date of 2025.[18]

A prototype of the Kuching ART (guided bi-articulated bus powered by hydrogen) undergoing an engineering run.

In August 2023, the state received its first hydrogen-powered ART vehicle prototype and went through an engineering run for two months until September, where it then went through a proof-of-concept testing in November.[19] Besides ART vehicles, Sarawak Metro will procure an additional 55 hydrogen buses which will serve as part of the first and last mile connectivity for the system which are still currently in trial operation since January 2020.[20] As of November 2024, the overall progress of Phase 1 of the Kuching Urban Transportation System is now at 25.8% which includes consultation works, studies and physical works.[21]

Planned routes for Phase 1

[edit]

On 16 December 2022, the Premier of Sarawak released the Phase 1 integrated transit map of the KUTS project with a 69.9-kilometer route consisting of 3 initial rail lines and a total of 31 stations (with 5 provisional stations) to be completed in stages, with Phase 1 of the Blue Line scheduled to be completed in 2025 while the remaining lines are to be constructed at a later date.[22] Currently, the Green Line has since increased the number of stations from 10 to 14 stations bringing the total number of stations across the Kuching Urban Transportation System to 35 stations.[23] However, only 9 stations are confirmed to be built while the other 5 are under provisional status.

Line Origin – Destination Landmarks of nearby proposed stations Distance & Stations To be completed
 SM  Blue Line Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange Rembus, Summer Mall, Aiman Mall, UiTM, SALCRA, Unimas, Sarawak Heart Centre, Riveria, La Promenade Shopping Mall, Stutong, Emart Matang, Wisma Wan, Vivacity Megamall, JPN Kuching, The Spring, Simpang Tiga, Swinburne Sarawak University, Batu Lintang, Kuching Paragon, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching City Mosque, Hikmah Exchange 27.6 km, 14 stations. Phase 1:
31 December 2025

Phase 1A:
30 June 2026 Phase 2:
31 December 2026

 SR  Red Line Kuching Sentral to Pending Kuching Sentral, Kuching International Airport, Pelita Height, RH Plaza, GalaCity, CityOne Simpang Tiga, JPN Kuching, Jalan Tun Razak, Pending 12.3 km, 8 stations. 31 December 2026
 DM  Green Line Pending to Damai Sentral Pending, Bintawa, Darul Hana, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Menara Pelita, Stadium Sarawak, Yayasan Sarawak, Bandar Baru Samariang, Sungai Batu, Santubong, Damai Sentral 30 km, 14 stations. 30 June 2027

Notes

[edit]
  1. Bold text denotes that the particular landmark is near the area proposed to be a train depot station.

Blue Line alignment

[edit]

The Blue Line is expected to begin revenue service for Phase 1 on 31 December 2025 starting from the Rembus station until the Riveria station. This initial phase will allow Samarahan residents as well as students from UNIMAS and UiTM to travel seamlessly from their respective places to around the Samarahan area without needing to drive. Phase 1A of the Blue Line, which will be open for revenue service on 30 June 2026, will solely introduce the opening of the new Sungai Kuap bridge as well as the Stutong station, finally connecting the Blue Line to the other side of the river. Finally, Phase 2 of the Blue Line, which will begin revenue service on 31 December 2026, will continue along Wan Alwi and various popular and congested routes in Kuching before finally terminating at Hikmah Exchange station in downtown Kuching.

Station Code Working Name Station Layout Local
government 		Notes / Interchange
Blue Line Phase 1 (31 December 2025)
 SM00P  Rembus At-grade MPKS Provisional station. Rembus Depot, near to Kampung Rembus, SK (A) Ibnu Khaldun
 SM01  Universiti Near to Taman Desa Ilmu, walking distance to Pintu Timur UNIMAS, The Summer Shopping Mall
 SM02  Melaban Connected with Aiman Mall
 SM03  Sigitin Connected with Wisma SALCRA, walking distance to INTAN
 SM04  UNIMAS Connected with UNIMAS Main Gate, walking distance to Everwin Centre
 SM05  Sarawak Heart Centre Walking distance to Sarawak Heart Centre, Eden-on-the-Park, Samarahan Country Club, future Interchange station with a future line
 SM06  Riveria Connected with La Promenade Mall
Blue Line Phase 1A (30 June 2026)
 SM07  Stutong Elevated MBKS Connected with The Northbank, walking distance to Avona Residence, Tunku Putra - HELP International School
Blue Line Phase 2 (31 December 2026)
 SM08  Wan Alwi Elevated MBKS Walking distance to Lodge International School, connected to Tabuan Jaya Police Housing Complex
 SM09  Vivacity Mall Connected with Vivacity Megamall, walking distance to Milan Square
 SM10  SR10  Simpang Tiga Walking distance to Wisma Persekutuan, Kenyalang Park Post Office, Interchange station with the  SR10  Red Line
 SM11  The Spring Connected with The Spring Shopping Mall, ST3 Shopping Mall, Citadines Uplands Hotel, walking distance to Masjid Darul Ittihaad Kenyalang Park
 SM12  Batu Lintang DBKU Walking distance to Kuching Public Works Department, Batu Lintang Food Court, Wisma Saberkas
 SM13  Sarawak General Hospital Connected with Sarawak General Hospital, walking distance to SMK Green Road, future Interchange station with a future line
 SM14  Hikmah Exchange Terminus. Connected with Hikmah Exchange, walking distance to Padang Pasir, Kuching City Mosque, Wisma Hopoh, future Interchange station with a future line

Red Line alignment

[edit]

The Red Line is expected to begin revenue service on 31 December 2026, around the same time as Phase 2 of the Blue Line. This line will only have 8 stations at first but is expected to expand in the near future, with potential expansions to Serian and the Kuching Deep Sea Port. It is also expected to be connected with the bus terminal as well as the Kuching International Airport, which will play an important role in providing easy transportation for those leaving or coming from either one of these terminals.

Station Code Working Name Station Layout Local
government 		Notes / Interchange
 SR05  Kuching Sentral Bus interchange Elevated MBKS Connected with bus terminal, walking distance to Farley Shopping Mall, future Interchange station with a future line
 SR06  Kuching International Airport Airport interchange Connected with airport terminal
 SR07  Pelita Height Connected with RH Plaza
 SR08  Tun Jugah Connected with Emporium, Premier 101 Plaza
 SR09  Swinburne Connected with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, walking distance to KWSP Kuching
 SR10  SM10  Simpang Tiga Walking distance to Wisma Persekutuan, Kenyalang Park Post Office, Interchange station with the  SM10  Blue Line
 SR11  Jalan Tun Razak Near to Chung Hua Middle School No.3
 SR12  DM01  Pending At-grade Near to Pending Industrial Estate, Interchange station with the  DM01  Green Line

Green Line alignment

[edit]

The Green Line is expected to begin revenue service on 30 June 2027, with nine confirmed stations and five provisional stations being built at a later date in order to complement future developments which brings a total number of fourteen stations. All stations on this route are expected to be at-grade, however, there is a small section from Santubong station and the Damai Golf Course station which will be elevated due to the inconsistent terrain of the area.

Station Code Working Name Station Layout Local
government 		Notes / Interchange
 DM01  SR12  Pending At-grade MBKS Near to Pending Industrial Estate, Interchange station with the  SR12  Red Line
 DM02P  Darul Hana DBKU Provisional station. Near to Masjid Darul Hana, Darul Hana Housing Complex
 DM03  Wisma Bapa Malaysia Walking distance to Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Old Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
 DM04  Menara Pelita Walking distance to Pelita Tower, new Sarawak Premier Residence & Administrative Offices
 DM05  Stadium Connected with the Sarawak Sports Complex
 DM05AP  Waterfront Provisional station.
 DM06P  Yayasan Sarawak Provisional station. Near to Yayasan Sarawak, MARDI, future Interchange station with a future line
 DM07  Bandar Baru Samariang Connected with Bandar Baru Samariang Commercial Centre
 DM07AP  Pasir Panjang Provisional station. Near to Department of Agriculture Research Station Rampangi, Mutiara Damai Housing Complex
 DM08  Sungai Batu Halt station. Sungai Batu Depot. Near to Sungai Bedaun Housing Complex
 DM08AP  Cove 55 Provisional station. Connected with Cove 55 Hotel
 DM09  Santubong Halt station. Near to Kampung Santubong
 DM09A  Damai Golf Course Halt station. Near to Damai Golf & Country Club, Santubong National Park
 DM10  Damai Sentral Terminus. Connected with Sarawak Cultural Village, walking distance to Damai Beach, Damai Lagoon Resort

Operation facts

[edit]
  • Project Proponent: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd
  • Line Length (km): Line 1 : 28.1 km (67% Elevated), Line 2 : 24.5 km (96% Elevated)
  • Stations: Line 1 : 13 + 1 (provisional), Line 2 : 12
  • Interchange : 1
  • Depot: Line 1 : Rembus Line 2 : Batu 12
  • Operating Speed: Average 35 km/h, Maximum 70 km/h
  • Operating Hours: 6.00 am – 12.00 am
  • Journey Time: Line 1: 38 minutes, Line 2: 40 minutes
  • System: Hydrogen Powered Automated Rapid Transit (ART)
  • Features: Trackless, Runs on rubber tyres. Dedicated lane

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sarawak Metro speeds up rail contract awards".
  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. ^ vernonchancom (31 March 2018). "Kuching LRT ready by 2024, will use hydrogen fuel cell trains". VERNONCHAN.COM. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Sarawak's LRT to use hydrogen fuel cell trains". The Star. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  8. ^ vernonchancom (31 March 2018). "Kuching LRT ready by 2024, will use hydrogen fuel cell trains". VERNONCHAN.COM. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  9. ^ a b "The Kuching LRT". Kuching Borneo. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "KUTS EIA 2021" (PDF). 2021.
  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.
  16. ^ Sharon Ling (29 April 2017). "Kuching to have LRT – 'We don't want to be like KL'". The Star. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Julia Chan (29 April 2022). "Report: Sarawak premier defends Kuching LRT project as key economic building block". Malay Mail. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  19. ^ Chief Chapree (24 August 2023). "Sarawak tests the world's first hydrogen-powered Smart Tram in Kuching". SoyaCincau. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  20. ^ Wong, Jack (8 July 2024). "Hydrogen buses to power Sarawak Metro's KUTS project". The Star. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Sarawak KUTS Phase One at 25.8%, says state Transport Minister". The Star (Malaysia). 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  22. ^ Mail, Rintos (16 December 2022). "Premier launches Phase 1 of Kuching Urban Transportation System". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Sarawak Metro: First phase of Kuching Urban Transportation System to be operational by end-2027". Malay Mail. 16 May 2024.
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