SARAWAK has a new hydrogen bus service in its administrative capital Kuching, featuring three 18-seater China-made buses, making it the first state in the country and in this part of the world, to operate the environmentally friendly vehicles.

The zero-emission buses have standing room for another 16 passengers.

A state government initiative that is jointly managed by the state’s transport authorities and the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), the free service will initially cover two routes – a 14km downtown heritage loop and a 67km route to the coastal resort of Damai in Santubong.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, who took a ride in one of the buses after flagging it off today, said the free service will promote  tourism while the state awaits proposals and recommendations from the state Transport Ministry on how to turn it into a full-pledged paying stage bus service.

In keeping with the times, the buses are equipped with with hi-tech gadgets that among other things, offer free internet service for commuters.

By downloading the H2 Sarawak app, which is integrated with Google Transit, commuters will receive live locations of the buses as well as information on the nearest available public transport.

Google Transit, aimed at tourists, provides real time schedules of bus arrivals and connecting points.

The H2 app also has iBeacon, an app that allows may be enabled for online and mobile push notifications on various offers and promotions in the city.

The chief minister said the H2 app, written by a Sarawakian who had worked in the IT industry in the US and China, will pave the way for a fully integrated online route and live schedule of Sarawak’s public transport system.

The buses, manufactured by Foshan Feichi Automobile Manufacture Co Ltd, all have LED monitors with IOI (internet of things) features, including allowing commuters to load video content while riding the buses.

A full tank of 20kg gives the buses a travelling distance of about 300km.

SEDC said with such effective energy utilisation and storage, the use of hydrogen fuel is “economical”.

The corporation said it opted for hydrogen instead of electric buses because when “energy is stored as hydrogen in the form of a liquid of gas, it will not dissipate until it is used”.

“Such technology is useful as an efficient energy resource that require long-term storage because there is less energy loss that occurs with this technology.

“Capacitors, batteries, and even hydrocarbon-based fuels cannot make a similar claim, which is why some need to be recharged even if they are not used.”

SEDC also said the zero emission of hydrogen fuel cell are not only environmental friendly, hydrogen vehicles gives a longer range of travel when compared to battery or electric vehicles.

The corporation said the disposal of batteries of electric buses that have reached the end of their life span was another major concern.

“SEDC have studied this matter and is aware that efforts has been put in place to recycle the batteries but the cost is much higher.” – January 21, 2020.