Despite the call to reconsider the proposed use of hydrogen fuel cell buses as first- and last-mile feeders for the Kuching autonomous rapid transit (ART) trackless tram public transport system due to their high cost, the Sarawak state government stands by its plan to utilise them.
State transport minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin says hydrogen buses are set to become cheaper in the long term, with recent advancements in hydrogen production and fuel cell technology expected to improve efficiency and reduce operation costs.
He added that hydrogen buses offer a more sustainable option, which is in line with the state’s green economy roadmap, The Star reports. “We must take this opportunity to build a competitive edge, positioning Sarawak as a participant in the global green economy,” he said.
Lee said this in response to the call made by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen for the state government to replace hydrogen buses with electric buses for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project. While debating the 2025 state budget at the state legislative assembly last week, Chong cited 10 city authorities worldwide which had tried using hydrogen buses and failed due to high operating costs.
However, Lee said Chong had referred to a website citing information dating back to 2001, while data from 2021 was collected during the Covid-19 pandemic when ridership was greatly reduced. “This data is outdated and does not reflect the present realities of advancement in hydrogen technology,” he explained.
The ART will form the backbone of the KUTS, and the trackless tram system will cover routes totalling 70 km over three rail lines and 31 stations in its first phase. Revenue services are expected to begin in stages from the fourth quarter of 2025, starting with the Blue Line (Line 1) from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the centre of Kuching.
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Recent advancements in hydrogen production and fuel cell technology expected to improve efficiency and reduce operation costs.
So please do enlighten us which country uses the hydrogen for transport at a large scale apart from only hearing Japan wantssss to do it.
Read more on China bro. After losing EV race, the west is desperate and now trying to kill China as an emerging hydrogen leader.
Sarawak is being super bold by making this stand. This is not about getting it done cheap and saving money. This is about believing and strategically investing, catalysing and future-proofing using a new technology, and taking the bet with China showing our solidarity with the global south i.e. BRICS agenda. Basically giving a middle finger to western energy imperialism.
Project sudah masuk tak boleh cancel ler….nanti jadi macam Sabah
they just wanna sell their own product, nothing really gonna stop them
Bold & far sighted vision to reduce carbon emissions and enhance public mobility, positioning them self as a leader in clean energy and sustainable development in the region.
sarawak is not a state
it’s no longer be called state legislative, simply Dewan Undangan Sarawak (DUS)
sudah sign kontrak sama abang adik mana boleh tukar2, nantilah lepas kontrak abis kita tukar semua jadi lain, masuk poket lagi nanti