Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd has invited bids from rolling stock vendors to deliver a fleet of hydrogen-powered trains with rubber tyres for the two-line light metro in Kuching. The deadline for submitting final proposals is June 28, 2021.
Each train will have a crush-load capacity of 300 passengers. On-board hydrogen fuel cells will power the trains, with enough storage capacity for one refuelling every day. The trains will be steered by an optical system and will run at Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2), with the option to upgrade to a higher level of automation in the future. The trains will have a minimum life of 25 years but will ideally run for 30 years.
Sarawak Metro is in charge of the project, which consists of an X-shaped network comprising two lines. These include the Samarahan Line which will open in 2025 and the Serian Line which is expected to start operations in 2026. Extensions plans for both the lines is in the pipeline along with the addition of a third line in the city centre.
