Chinese-made buses boost green public transport in Malaysia's Sarawak state

A bus service in east Malaysia's Sarawak state will feature Chinese-made buses powered by hydrogen in an effort to provide green public transport, an official said on Tuesday.

The buses, manufactured by China's Foshan Feichi Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and operated by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), will promote reliable, affordable, safe and eco-friendly public transport, said Sarawak Chief Minister Johari Openg.

"This is a pilot project to promote our tourism and public transport. The Transport Ministry is monitoring it, and we may have to add additional hydrogen buses in our efforts to promote our public transport system," he said at the launching ceremony.

With three buses, the service is currently being offered for free and runs daily, serving a 14-km route in the state capital of Kuching and passes through its heritage area among other locations.

The buses can travel about 300 km or 15 round trips on the Kuching route on 20 kg of hydrogen, and are equipped with high-speed WiFi and paired with an app allowing users to find the nearest public transport station and places of interest.

Johari added that more options were being studied including hydrogen powered and electric vehicles.