KUCHING: Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel today visited the Sarawak Metro’s Hydrogen Bus facility at the Sarawak Skills campus, Jalan Tabuan, as part of the Sarawak Government’s ongoing commitment in advancing sustainable and innovative public transport solutions.

The visit provided an opportunity to review the progress and readiness of Sarawak’s hydrogen-powered public transport initiative, which forms a key component of the state’s broader agenda towards green energy adoption and low-carbon mobility.

During the session, Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah was briefed on the outcomes of the hydrogen bus trial operations that have been conducted since 2020.

The three hydrogen buses deployed for the trial have successfully fulfilled their primary objective of gathering critical operational data and technical insights in preparation for the rollout of a larger hydrogen powered public transport fleet expected to arrive in phases beginning the second half of 2026.

The trial initiative has also played a significant role in raising public awareness on the safety, reliability, and environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel technology.

Throughout the trial period, the buses served passengers across key routes, including journeys from Kuching city centre to Damai Central in Santubong, demonstrating the practical viability of zero-emission transport solutions in Sarawak.

Importantly, the experience gained from operating these hydrogen buses has strengthened local technical capacity.

Engineers, technicians and drivers have acquired valuable hands-on expertise in managing and maintaining hydrogen powered vehicles, positioning Sarawak well for the upcoming implementation of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS).

Meanwhile, Sarawak Metro highlighted that the pilot buses were specifically intended for trial purposes and not for integration into the future feeder bus fleet, given differences in design and manufacturing specifications.

Following extensive operational use since 2020, the buses are now being considered for a new role that will continue to contribute to the development of Sarawak’s public transport ecosystem.

Apart from the technical know-how gained from the trial operation of the hydrogen buses, the initiative has also greatly enhanced Sarawak Metro’s capabilities in areas of management, especially on strengthening its contract management and obsolescence management.

The visit underscores the Sarawak Government’s strong commitment in positioning the state as a regional leader in hydrogen economy development, while ensuring that infrastructure, human capital and operational readiness are aligned for future implementation.

The three units of six-year-old hydrogen buses are now placed at Sarawak Skill campus grounds for vocational academic and research purposes.

Accompanying him during the visit were Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) Dato Syeed Mohd Hussien Wan Abdul Rahman, Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Sarawak Mohamad Lotfi Tuah, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd Ts Mazli Mustaffa, and other relevant officers. -UKASnews