TOUR AROUND KUCHING IN THE NEW AND FREE ELECTRIC BUS
Text and Photos by Jasmine Regina
The Kuching Metro Electric Bus service launched in March 2021 is the very first e-bus service in Malaysia, and is also part of the Sarawakian government’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism and development. This bus service was initiated to provide convenient and free transportation alternatives for visitors and locals alike by connecting some of the important and notable destinations in Kuching city. The trial run in 2019 was well received by visitors and locals, who commended the free, innovative, green energy bus service.
Each e-bus is equipped with free WiFi, CCTVs, automated bus stop system, real time broadcast content control system, folding bike area, and above all, is disabled-friendly. A bus is scheduled to depart every 2 hours from the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and vice versa, with 54 stops in between. Some popular stops include the famous Padungan white cat statue, tHe Spring shopping mall, Vivacity Megamall, Saradise, CityONE Megamall, Kuching International
Airport, and Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal.
Each 10.5m e-bus has a maximum seating capacity of 52 passengers, with 26 seated passengers and 26 seating passengers. The e-bus also has its own app called Kuching Metro which enables users to track the bus in real time as well as obtain information on bus stops, lines, and estimated time of bus arrival.
