Phase 1 of Kuching Urban Transportation System's to cost RM80mil per km

KUCHING: Phase One of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), covering a total length of 69.9km, is estimated to cost about RM80mil per kilometre, says Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.

He said the project cost includes land acquisition, autonomous rapid transit (ART) hydrogen vehicles, feeder buses, infrastructure works and depots.

Comparatively, he said the LRT3 project in Kuala Lumpur, with a length of 37.6km, had a higher cost of about RM540mil per kilometre.

"This would mean that the ART's cost per kilometre is approximately one-sixth of the LRT3 project that commenced in 2017," he said when winding up matters related to his ministry at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Monday (Nov 27).

He was responding to a point raised by Violet Yong (DAP-Pending), who had wanted details of the ART project's cost when debating the 2024 state budget last week.

Lee also said Phase One of the KUTS project involved three ART lines totalling 69.9km, with 31 stations and one interchange station.

He said 80% of the dedicated lanes for the ART would be at road level and 20% elevated, with works including bridges, stations, utility relocations, road widening and land acquisition.

According to Lee, the project components comprised infrastructure works for two depots at Rembus and Sungai Batu, system works including 38 ART hydrogen vehicles and a feeder bus depot at Rembus.

"As of October 2023, the overall actual progress of KUTS Phase One stands at 14.43%.

"The capital expenditure has reached RM403.43mil, reflecting the financial commitment to advancing this transformative project," he said.