KUCHING: The autonomous rapid transit (ART) system, which is set for operation this year for the Samarahan-Kuching route, will be extended to connect the new Kuching International Airport that will be built in Tanjung Embang, Asajaya district in the Samarahan Division.
According to Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the planned ART route would function similarly to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 connection, enabling efficient passenger movement.
“All this will be realised within the next five years,” he said when closing the Asajaya Ambal Festival 2026 recently.
The hydrogen-powered ART system is expected to be the backbone of the ambitious billion-ringgit Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) undertaken by Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (formerly a wholly owned subsidiarty of Sarawak Economic Development Corp), with its first stage targetted to be operational by the end of this year.
Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said the new airport project would involve several villages, with land acquisition and compensation for some landowners now in progress.
The new airport is projected to have the capacity to serve up to 15 million passengers annually, and will be equipped with the latest technology, apart from having seamless infrastructure, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recently.
The state government also plans to develop a new deep-sea port in Tanjung Embang.
Abdul Karim said with the two mega projects to be implemented, Asajaya, which was once difficult to access by road, will see a major transformation and become Sarawak’s strategic transportation hub.
The start of the year saw the official transition of tranportation company Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd into a state-owned enterprise under the Sarawak State Financial Secretary, marking a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing corporate restructuring initiative.
Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa said the move reflects the state government’s strategic efforts to streamline operations and strengthen public transport development.
“This marks an exciting phase for Sarawak Metro but also brings greater responsibility, with more deliverables to be achieved in the years ahead,” he added.
Mazli said he expects this year to be particularly challenging, as KUTS’ major infrastructure work intensifies, with the first stage of the ART operation to commence revenue service by the end of the year.
Last week, he briefed Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin on the progress at the site of the ART interchange station at Simpang Tiga here.
Construction of the ART network began two years ago, starting with the Blue Line before progressing to the Red Line.
The first phase of the KUTS project covers a route of 69.9km that consists of the Blue, Red and Green lines and 28 stations.
The Blue Line stretches 27.6km from Rembus near Summer Mall, Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the Kuching city centre. The Rembus depot also serves as the central hub for the operation and administration of the ART system.
The Blue Line will serve stations located near University Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak Heart Centre, Sarawak General Hospital and Swinburne University, prominent shipping complexes and other prime locations.
The 12.3km long Red Line will connect Kuching Sentral, which is also a regional bus terminal, and Pending, with stations at Kuching International Airport and several shopping malls.
The Green Line covers 30km, from Pending to Damai Central in Santubong.
