HOCK Seng Lee Bhd (HSL) has been awarded the RM64.3 million contract for the construction and completion of the advanced works of the Kuching Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) blue line Rembus depot in Kota Samarahan.

Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Metro, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), is the implementer of the ART service under the Kuching Urban Transport System (KUTS) project to minimise traffic congestion in the city.

The Sarawak marine, civil engineering and construction firm based in Kuching, was among seven companies which tendered bids.

Sarawak Metro said work on the depot started this month along with construction of phase 1 of the KUTS project.

The depot will house SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd’s hydrogen production plant, a hydrogen refuelling facility for the service’s hydrogen feeder bus fleet, stabling yard, test track, automatic wash plant, mechanical and infrastructure workshop, and administration building.

It is scheduled to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2025 to coincide with the opening of stage 1 of the blue line, which comprises six stations from the Rembus depot to the Riviera residential estate.

Yesterday, Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin told the state assembly the train service would be extended to the end of the 27.6km line, at the Hikmah Exchange in the city centre, in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Phase 1 of the KUTS project covers a route of 69.9km consisting of three lines and 31 stations.

The rail network will be supported by a network of feeder buses for first- and last-mile connectivity.

The feeder buses will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Lee said the ART service will be introduced in stages, starting at the end of 2025. – November 30, 2022.