Kuching Urban Transportation System

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS)
Official logo
Official logo
Overview
Native nameSistem Pengangkutan Bandaraya Kuching
OwnerSarawak Metro - Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC)
LocaleKuching, Samarahan and Serian
Transit typeAutonomous Rail Rapid Transit - Guided bi-articulated bus
Number of lines3
Number of stations31
Websitewww.mysarawakmetro.com/kuts
Operation
Operation will start2026; 2 years' time (2026)[1]
Operator(s)Sarawak Metro
Technical
System lengthFirst phase: 69.9 km (43 mi)

The Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) is an under-construction Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system network in Kuching, Malaysia. It is the first metro rail system to be built 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 to be constructed using state funds provided by the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS).[2][3][4] The proposed ART lines will connect Kuching to Samarahan and Serian as well as future lines to other parts of Greater Kuching.[5] The Premier of Sarawak, Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg had initially promised to build the first Kuching ART soon to avoid rising costs,[6] with Chinese companies offering their expertise to collaborate in the construction.[7]

Initial plan - Light Rapid Transit[edit]

The proposed construction of a RM10.8 billion Kuching LRT 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[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[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
 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.[13]
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.[14]

Revised plan - Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART)[edit]

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

In July 2019, the Chief Minister of Sarawak 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.[15]

In September 2019, the government of Sarawak ultimately decided to go with 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.[16][17] The ART is a type of guided bus running on batteries. 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] As of April 2024, the overall progress of Phase 1 of the Kuching Urban Transportation System is now at 20.65% which includes consultation works, studies and physical works.[20]

Planned routes[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.[21] As of April 2024, the Green Line has since increased the number of stations from 10 to 14 stations, however, they are under halt station status and it is currently unknown whether these will be built alongside the opening of the Green Line in 2027.

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: Q4 2025


Phase 2: Q4 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. Q4 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. Q4 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]

Station Code Working Name Local
government 		Notes / Interchange
 SM00P  Rembus 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
 SM07  Stutong MBKS Connected with The Northbank, walking distance to Avona Residence, Tunku Putra - HELP International School
 SM08  Wan Alwi 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 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]

Station Code Working Name Local
government 		Notes / Interchange
 SR05  Kuching Sentral Bus interchange MBKS Connected with bus terminal, future Interchange station with a future line
 SR06  Kuching International Airport Airport interchange Connected to airport terminal
 SR07  Pelita Height Near to RH Plaza
 SR08  Tun Jugah Near to Emporium
 SR09  Swinburne Near to Swinburne University
 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 Near to Puspakom, Interchange station with the  DM01  Green Line

Green Line alignment[edit]

Station Code Working Name Local
government 		Notes / Interchange
 DM01  SR12  Pending MBKS Near to Puspakom, Interchange station with the  SR12  Red Line
 DM02P  Darul Hana DBKU Provisional station. Near to Darul Hana
 DM03  Wisma Bapa Malaysia Near to Wisma Bapa Malaysia
 DM04  Menara Pelita Near to Menara Pelita
 DM05  Stadium Near to Sarawak State Stadium
 DM05AP  Waterfront Provisional station. Near to Waterfront
 DM06P  Yayasan Sarawak Provisional station. Near to Yayasan Sarawak, future Interchange station with a future line
 DM07  Bandar Baru Samariang Near to Bandar Baru Samariang
 DM07AP  Pasir Panjang Provisional station. Near to Pasir Panjang
 DM08  Sungai Batu Halt station. Sungai Batu Depot.
 DM08AP  Cove 55 Provisional station. Near to Cove 55
 DM09  Santubong Halt station. Near to Santubong
 DM09A  Damai Golf Course Halt station. Near to Damai Golf Course
 DM10  Damai Sentral Near to Damai Sentral

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. ^ https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2024/01/01/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. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  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. ^ "KUTS EIA 2021" (PDF). 2021.
  14. ^ Sulok Tawie (1 September 2018). "No LRT for Sarawak for time being, CM confirms". Malay Mail. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  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. ^ Umpang, Matthew (13 May 2024). "Lee: Overall progress of KUTS Phase 1 at 20.65 pct as of April 2024". The Borneo Post.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Mail, Rintos (16 December 2022). "Premier launches Phase 1 of Kuching Urban Transportation System". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kuching_Urban_Transportation_System&oldid=1224354167"