The hydrogen bus makes a stop at the PPV in BCCK.
KUCHING (June 22): The hydrogen bus service here has now included stops at two vaccination centres (PPVs), namely at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya and the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) at The Isthmus.
In a statement, Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), said the free bus service to these two PPVs took effect yesterday.
“It is hoped that the service would provide the people in in the city with greater accessibility to these vaccination centres,” said Sarawak Metro.
The hydrogen bus departs from the bus stop in front of Riverside Majestic Hotel at 7.30am, 9.50am, 1pm, and 3.20pm every day.
For those heading to the PPV at Stadium Perpaduan, the hydrogen-bus route would cover Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (where Riverside Majestic Hotel is sited), Main Bazaar, Saujana multi-storey carpark, Jalan Haji Taha, Jalan Satok, Jalan Matang, Jalan Semarak, Jalan Astana and Jalan Stadium.
From Stadium Perpaduan, the bus would head to Jalan Bako and Jalan Keruing before stopping at the PPV in BCCK; then, it would make the return loop to the stadium en route to the journey back to the bus stop at the Riverside Majestic Hotel.
“Passengers intending to utilise this free bus service can wait at any bus stop along the set route.
“Apart from this dedicated bus service to these two PPVs, we are currently operating the Downtown Heritage Loop, of which the route also begins at the bus stop in front of Riverside Majestic Hotel.
“The route would serve those intending to go to the PPV at Kozi Square, near Sarawak General Hospital (SGH),” said Sarawak Metro.
The Downtown Heritage Loop operates eight trips daily, with the first commencing at 7.30am.
Just like the Downtown Heritage Loop, the route to the PPVs at Stadium Perpaduan and BCCK is considered as a part of Sarawak Metro’s trial run.
It is to gather data in preparation for Sarawak’s future plan to adopt hydrogen-powered feeder buses for the Automated Rapid Transit (ART) system under the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) development.
During this trial operation, Sarawak Metro is adhering strictly to all the standard operating procedures (SOP) outlined by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) as part of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The SOP includes requiring all bus passengers to undergo body temperature scan, and to wear face masks at all times.