Kuching Urban Transportation System
Public transportation system in Kuching, Sarawak
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) is an under-construction Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system network that serves Greater Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian. It is the first ART system network to be built outside of China and also the first metro bus system in the state of Sarawak which was touted as one of the methods to ease traffic congestion in the city of Kuching.[2] The project is currently constructed by Sarawak Metro using state funds provided by the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS).[2][3][4] The ART lines will connect Kuching to Samarahan and Serian as well as future lines to other parts of Greater Kuching.[5]
| Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) | |
|---|---|
| |
 Official logo | |
| Overview | |
| Native name | Sistem Pengangkutan Bandaraya Kuching |
| Owner | Sarawak Metro - Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) |
| Locale | Greater Kuching, Samarahan, Serian |
| Transit type | Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit Guided bus Bi-articulated bus |
| Number of lines | 4 |
| Number of stations | 35 |
| Website | www |
| Operation | |
| Operation will start | December 2026[1] |
| Operator(s) | Sarawak Metro |
| Number of vehicles | 38 |
| Technical | |
| System length | First phase: 69.9 km (43 mi) |
| Top speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
Initial LRT proposal
The proposed construction of a RM10.8 billion Kuching light rapid transit (LRT) project was expected to commence by 2019 and was scheduled to be operational by 2024.[6] It was proposed that the LRT will use hydrogen fuel cell rolling-stock with a travel speed of 70–140km/h.[7]
The hydrogen fuel cell trains were in line with the state government's vision to develop a hydrogen economy, as part of its green initiative. Aside from hydrogen-powered trains, Kuching will also be the first city in the country to have hydrogen-powered buses.[8]
Planned routes
On 29 March 2018, the Chief Minister of Sarawak released the routes and stations of three of the six lines with 155.2 kilometres of track[9] to be completed in 2024, while the remaining three lines to be implemented at a later stage.[6] A government-linked company (GLC) called Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd[10] had been registered to manage the LRT system.[9]
| Line | Origin – Destination | Landmark nearby proposed stations | Distance & Stations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Samarahan Line | Kota Samarahan to Damai via Sungai Batu, | Rembus, Kota Samarahan, Summer Mall, Aiman Mall, INTAN/SALCRA/UiTM, UNIMAS, Sarawak Heart Centre, La Promenade, Riveria, eMart, PPKS, Wisma Wan, Vivacity, Simpang Tiga, Swinburne, Jalan Tabuan, Jalan Central Timur, Police HQ, Hikmah Exchange, Jalan Hashim Jaafar, Medan Raya, Sarawak Stadium, Hospital Sarawak, Bandar Baru Samariang, Mara, Rampangi, Salak, Sg. Batu, Buntal, Santubong, Damai Central | 62.4 km, 25 stations. |
| 2 Serian Line | Serian to Senari via Siburan, | South Depot, Serian, Pasar Baki, Tapah, Beratok, Duranta, Siburan, Seratau, Beverly Park, JPJ, Kota Padawan, Everwin, Penrissen, Kuching Sentral, Kuching International Airport, BDC, Gala City, City One, Simpang Tiga, JPN, The Spring Shopping Mall, Chung Hua Middle School No. 3, Jalan Tun Razak, SMK Pending, Bintawa, Isthmus, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Demak Laut, Demak Laut Convention Centre, Senari Port, Bako, Muara Tebas, Deep Sea Port | 82 km, 25 stations. |
| 3 City Dispersal Line | Kuching City | Waterfront, UTC, Jalan Abell, Padungan, Padungan Central, Three Hills Park, Tanah Putih, Pending, Jalan Tun Salahudin, Darul Hana, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Medan Raya, Jalan Hashim Jaafar, Hikmah Exchange | 10.8 km, 13 stations. |
Blue: Samarahan Line
Red: Serian Line
Samarahan Line (Line 1)
| Station Code | Working Name | Position | Local government |
Interchange / Notes |
| SM0 | Rembus (Provisional) | At-grade | MPKS | Rembus Depot, near to Kampung Rembus |
| SM1 | Universiti | Near to UNIMAS Pintu Timur, walking distance to The Summer Shopping Mall | ||
| SM2 | Melaban | Connected with Aiman Mall | ||
| SM3 | Sigitin | Near to Wisma SALCRA, Walking distance to UiTM Samarahan | ||
| SM4 | UNIMAS | Elevated | ||
| SM5 | Heart Centre | Walking distance to Sarawak Heart Centre | ||
| SM6 | Riveria | Walking distance to La Promenade Mall | ||
| SM7 | Stutong | MBKS | Near to The NorthBank by IBRACO | |
| SM8 | Wan Alwi | Near to Tabuan Jaya Police Complex | ||
| SM9 | Viva | Connected with Vivacity Megamall | ||
| IS1 | Simpang Tiga | Near to Wisma Persekutuan Public Carpark, Interchange station with 2 Serian Line | ||
| SM11 | Jalan Tabuan | Connected with The Spring Shopping Mall | ||
| SM12 | Jalan Central Timur | DBKU | Near to Kuching Public Works Department | |
| SM13 | Jalan Badruddin | Connected with Sarawak General Hospital | ||
| SM14 | Hikmah Exchange | Near to Padang Pasir, Hikmah Exchange |
Serian Line (Line 2)
| Station Code | Working Name | Position | Local government |
Interchange / Notes |
| SR1 | Batu 12/JPJ | Elevated | MPPadawan | Batu 12 Depot |
| SR2 | Kota Padawan | Near to 10th Mile Bazaar | ||
| SR3 | Penrissen | MPKS | Near to SMK Wira Penrissen | |
| SR4 | Kota Sentosa | MPPadawan | Near to Sentosa Parade | |
| SR5 | Kuching Sentral |
MBKS | Connected with bus terminal | |
| SR6 | Kuching International Airport  |
Connected to airport terminal | ||
| SR7 | Pelita Height | Near to RH Plaza | ||
| SR8 | Tun Jugah | Near to Emporium | ||
| SR9 | Near to Swinburne University | |||
| IS1 | Simpang Tiga | Near to Wisma Persekutuan Public Carpark, Interchange station with 1 Samarahan Line | ||
| SR10 | Jalan Tun Razak | Near to Chung Hua Middle School No.3 | ||
| SR11 | Pending | Near to Puspakom | ||
| SR12 | Bintawa | Near to Bintawa Industrial Estate | ||
| SR13 | Isthmus | At-grade | DBKU | Near to Borneo Convention Centre Kuching |
Shelving
However, on 1 September 2018, the Chief Minister of Sarawak announced that the project has been placed on hold, citing that the funds allocated to the project will instead be used to build basic amenities for Sarawak's rural areas.[11] Eventually, in July 2019, the Chief Minister of Sarawak said that the new LRT project will be built using artificial intelligence (AI) technology which will remove the need for conventional rails and bringing down the cost of the project,[12] which culminated into adopting the Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit system from China.
Current ART proposal
In September 2019, the government of Sarawak ultimately decided to go with China's Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system than LRT due to its more affordable cost where the state transport minister said it will be ready by 2022.[13][14] The Premier of Sarawak, Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg had initially promised to build the first Kuching ART soon to avoid rising costs,[15] with Chinese companies offering their expertise to collaborate in the construction.[16] In April 2022, Premier Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg disclosed to the Singaporean English daily newspaper, The Straits Times that the ART system will likely consist of 52.6 km of route and is expected to begin construction in the third quarter of the same year, with a projected operational date of 2025.[17]
In August 2023, the state received its first hydrogen-powered ART vehicle prototype and went through an engineering run for two months until September, where it then went through a proof-of-concept testing in November.[18] Besides ART vehicles, Sarawak Metro will procure an additional 55 hydrogen buses which will serve as part of the first and last mile connectivity for the system which are still currently in trial operation since January 2020.[19]
Planned routes for Phase 1
On 16 December 2022, the Premier of Sarawak released the Phase 1 integrated transit map of the KUTS project with a 69.9-kilometre route consisting of 3 initial rail lines and a total of 31 stations (with 5 provisional stations) to be completed in stages, with Phase 1 of the Blue Line scheduled to be completed in 2025 while the remaining lines are to be constructed at a later date.[20] Currently, the Green Line has since increased the number of stations from 10 to 14 stations bringing the total number of stations across the Kuching Urban Transportation System to 35 stations.[21] However, only 8 stations are now confirmed to be built while the other 6 are under provisional status.
As of December 2025, the overall progress of Phase 1 of the project now stands at 35% which is still slightly behind the planned timeline due to continued construction delays. This has resulted Phase 1 of the Blue Line to now be projected to open on the fourth quarter of 2026 instead of 2025 as well as the current timeline being delayed to 2028.[22] Nonetheless, the system will begin pilot operations for both the ART vehicles and the accompanying hydrogen-powered feeder buses by the end of 2026, with one of each units arriving by mid-2026 and September 2026 respectively.[23]
| Line | Origin – Destination | Landmarks of nearby proposed stations | Distance & Stations | To be completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM Blue Line | Kota Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange | Rembus, Summer Mall, Aiman Mall, UiTM, SALCRA, Unimas, Sarawak Heart Centre, Riveria, La Promenade Shopping Mall, Stutong, Emart Matang, Wisma Wan, Vivacity Megamall, JPN Kuching, The Spring, Simpang Tiga, Swinburne Sarawak University, Batu Lintang, Kuching Paragon, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching City Mosque, Hikmah Exchange | 27.6 km, 15 stations. | Phase 1: 31 December 2026 Phase 2: |
| SR Red Line | Kuching Sentral to Pending | Kuching Sentral, Kuching International Airport, Pelita Height, RH Plaza, GalaCity, CityOne Simpang Tiga, JPN Kuching, Jalan Tun Razak, Pending | 12.3 km, 8 stations. | TBD 2027 |
| DM Green Line | Pending to Damai Sentral | Pending, Bintawa, Darul Hana, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Menara Pelita, Stadium Sarawak, Yayasan Sarawak, Bandar Baru Samariang, Sungai Batu, Santubong, Damai Sentral | 30 km, 14 stations. | Phase 1: TBD 2027 Phase 2: |
| Bold text denotes that the particular landmark is near the area proposed to be a train depot station. | ||||
Blue Line alignment
The Blue Line is expected to begin revenue service for Phase 1 on 31 December 2026 starting from the Rembus station until the Riveria station. Prior to this however, it will undergo a pilot operation trial by the end of 2026 to ensure smooth operating procedures for the rest of the line. This initial phase will allow Samarahan residents as well as students from UNIMAS and UiTM to travel seamlessly from their respective places to around the Samarahan area without needing to drive. Meanwhile, Phase 2 of the Blue Line, which will begin full revenue service on an unspecified date in 2027 due to construction delays, will continue along the newly built Sungai Kuap bridge to Stutong and various popular and congested routes in Kuching before finally terminating at Hikmah Exchange station in downtown Kuching.[24] All Phase 1 stations located in Kota Samarahan will be at-grade while Phase 2 will focus more on the elevated section with the exception of Stutong station which will remain at-grade.
| Station Code | Working Station Name | Opening | Platform type | Station Layout | Local government |
Notes / Interchange |
| Blue Line Phase 1 (31 December 2026) | ||||||
| SM00P | Rembus | - | Terminus (Island) | At-grade | MPKS | Future southern terminus.
Provisional station. Rembus Depot, near to Kampung Rembus, SK (A) Ibnu Khaldun |
| SM01 | Universiti | Q4 2026 | Island | Current southern terminus.
Exit to Uptown Samarahan, Taman Desa Ilmu, Pintu Timur UNIMAS, Kolej Kenanga, walking distance to The Summer Shopping Mall | ||
| SM02 | Melaban | Exit to Aiman Mall, Melaban Commercial Centre, Jalan i-MAS Village | ||||
| SM03 | Sigitin | Exit to Wisma SALCRA, Uni Alam Commercial Centre, walking distance to INTAN Sarawak | ||||
| SM04 | UNIMAS | Exit to UNIMAS Main Gate, Uni Square Commercial Centre, walking distance to Everwin Centre, Hospital Pengajar UNIMAS | ||||
| SM05 | Sarawak Heart Centre | Exit to Central City, Eden-on-the-Park Nursing Care Residence, walking distance to Sarawak Heart Centre, Samarahan Country Club, future Interchange station with a future line | ||||
| SM06 | Riveria | Exit to La Promenade Mall, Jalan Tiya Vista, walking distance to Riveria Square | ||||
| Blue Line Phase 2 (TBD 2027) | ||||||
| SM07 | Stutong | 2027 | Island | At-grade | MBKS | Connected with The Northbank, walking distance to Avona Residence, Tunku Putra - HELP International School |
| SM08 | Wan Alwi | Elevated | Exit to Stutong Parade Commercial Centre, Tabuan Jaya Police Housing Complex, walking distance to Lodge International School | |||
| SM09 | Vivacity Mall | Connected with Vivacity Megamall, exit to Milan Square, Milano Eight Condominium | ||||
| SM10 | Simpang Tiga | Double Island |
Walking distance to Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, JPN Sarawak, Kenyalang Park Post Office, Interchange station with the SR10 Red Line | |||
| SM11 | The Spring | Connected with The Spring Shopping Mall, ST3 Shopping Mall, Citadines Uplands Hotel, walking distance to Masjid Darul Ittihaad Kenyalang Park | ||||
| SM12 | Batu Lintang | DBKU | Exit to Batu Lintang Food Court, Kuching Public Works Department, walking distance to Wisma Saberkas | |||
| SM13 | Sarawak General Hospital | Exit to Sarawak General Hospital, walking distance to SMK Green Road (via Jalan Medan Temple), future Interchange station with the YL Yellow Line | ||||
| SM14 | Hikmah Exchange | Terminus (Island)[25] | Northern terminus.
Also known as ART Central Station. Connected with Hikmah Exchange, exit to Borneo Cultures Museum, Electra House Shopping Mall, Kuching City Mosque, Jalan Power, future Interchange station with a future line | |||
Red Line alignment
The Red Line is expected to begin revenue service on an unspecified date sometime in 2027. It is currently unknown whether this line will open simultaneously with Phase 2 of the Blue Line. At the moment, this line will have 8 stations but is expected to expand in the near future, with potential expansions to 12th Mile (Batu 12), Serian, and the Kuching Deep Sea Port. It will also be connected with the bus terminal as well as the Kuching International Airport, which will play an important role in providing easy transportation for those leaving or coming from either one of those terminals.[26] Most stations on this line are to be elevated stations with the exception of Jalan Tun Razak station and Pending station which will be at-grade.
| Station Code | Working Station Name | Opening | Platform type | Station Layout | Local government |
Notes / Interchange |
| SR05 | Kuching Sentral |
2027 | Side | Elevated | MBKS | Exit to bus terminal, walking distance to Farley Shopping Mall, Westfield Points Commercial Centre, future Interchange station with a future line |
| SR06 | Kuching International Airport |
Island | Connected with airport terminal via walkway to Departure Hall[27] | |||
| SR07 | Pelita Height | Exit to RH Plaza, walking distance to Wisma Elica, voco Hotel Kuching | ||||
| SR08 | Tun Jugah | Exit to Emporium Kuching, Premier 101 Plaza | ||||
| SR09 | Swinburne | Exit to Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, walking distance to KWSP Kuching, Jalan Uplands Commercial Centre | ||||
| SR10 | Simpang Tiga | Double Island |
Walking distance to Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, JPN Sarawak, Kenyalang Park Post Office, Interchange station with the SM10 Blue Line | |||
| SR11 | Jalan Tun Razak | Island | At-grade | Exit to Shell Jalan Tun Razak, Chung Hua Middle School No.3, Lorong Foochow shoplots | ||
| SR12 | Pending | Terminus (Island) | Northern terminus.
Connected with Neu Pendington, walking distance to Pending Industrial Estate, Cross-platform interchange with the DM01 Green Line |
Green Line alignment
The Green Line is expected to begin full revenue service on an unspecified date in 2028 due to construction delays, with eight confirmed stations and six provisional stations being built at a later date in order to complement future developments which brings a total number of fourteen stations. The construction is split into two phases in order to speed up construction partly to accommodate the line for the upcoming 2027 SEA Games. The first phase is expected to start construction around mid-2026 and will allow passage to the Sarawak Sports Complex while the rest of the stations are provisional due to current low demand. It is currently unknown when Phase 2 will begin construction. All stations on this route are expected to be at-grade, however, there is a small section from Santubong station and the Damai Golf Course station which will be elevated as to reduce the gradient of the route so that it does not exceed the maximum of 6% for an ART lane.[28]
| Station Code | Working Station Name | Opening | Platform type | Station Layout | Local government |
Notes / Interchange |
| Green Line Phase 1 (TBD 2027) | ||||||
| DM01 | Pending | 2027 | Terminus (Island) | At-grade | MBKS | Southern terminus.
Connected with Neu Pendington, walking distance to Pending Industrial Estate, Cross-platform interchange with the SR12 Red Line |
| DM02P | Darul Hana | - | Island | DBKU | Provisional station. Near to Masjid Darul Hana, Darul Hana Housing Complex | |
| DM03 | Wisma Bapa Malaysia | 2027 | Halt station. Walking distance to Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Sarawak Performing Arts Centre | |||
| DM04P | Menara Pelita | - | Provisional station. Walking distance to Pelita Tower, Kompleks Satria Pertiwi | |||
| DM05 | Stadium | 2027 | Connected with the Sarawak Sports Complex | |||
| DM05AP | Waterfront | - | Provisional station. | |||
| DM06P | Yayasan Sarawak | Provisional station. Near to Yayasan Sarawak, MARDI, future Interchange station with a future line | ||||
| Green Line Phase 2 (TBA) | ||||||
| DM07 | Bandar Baru Samariang | TBA | Island | At-grade | DBKU | Halt station. Connected with Bandar Baru Samariang Commercial Centre |
| DM07AP | Pasir Panjang | - | Provisional station. Near to Department of Agriculture Research Station Rampangi, Mutiara Damai Housing Complex | |||
| DM08 | Sungai Batu | TBA | Halt station. Sungai Batu Depot. Near to Sungai Bedaun Housing Complex | |||
| DM08AP | Cove 55 | - | Provisional station. Connected with Cove 55 Hotel | |||
| DM09 | Santubong | TBA | Halt station. Near to Kampung Santubong | |||
| DM09A | Damai Golf Course | Halt station. Near to Damai Golf & Country Club, Santubong National Park | ||||
| DM10 | Damai Sentral | Terminus (Island) | Northern terminus.
Halt station. Connected with Sarawak Cultural Village, walking distance to Damai Beach, Damai Lagoon Resort | |||
Planned routes for Phase 2
While not currently under construction, the Sarawak Deputy Premier Dr. Sim Kui Hian announced the planned expansion of the KUTS project for Phase 2 starting with the Yellow Line, which runs from an interchange station with the Blue Line at Sarawak General Hospital to Moyan.[29] An extension of the route to Bau has been planned out in advance but will only take fruition once Phase 2 undergoes construction. The remaining routes for Phase 2 are to be announced at a later date.
| Line | Origin – Destination | Landmarks of nearby proposed stations | Distance & Stations | To be completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YL Yellow Line | Sarawak General Hospital to Moyan | Sarawak General Hospital, AEON Mall Kuching Central, The Podium, Sunny Hill School, Maong Bazaar, 3rd Mile Wet Market, Cyberjaya College Kuching, Pines Square, MJC, Emart Batu Kawa, Desa Wira, Ang Cheng Ho Multipurpose Hall, Batu Kawah Riverbank Park, Emart Moyan, Moyan Square | TBA. | TBA |