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 bus 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
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
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]
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
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.
Proposed route for the Kuching Urban Transportation System in 2018.[11] Blue: Samarahan Line Red: Serian Line
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
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 (guidedbi-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
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.
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
Boldtext denotes that the particular landmark is near the area proposed to be a train depot station.
Blue Line alignment
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.
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
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.
Near to Pending Industrial Estate, Interchange station with the DM01Green Line
Green Line alignment
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.
