KOTA KINABALU: Construction foreman Johan Abdul Shukor once thought that riding on an electric bus was something that only happened in the movies.
The man, in his 50s, is glad that he can now board "a ride into the future" and experience advanced technology in Sabah.
Heading to work along with his 'crew' comprising of his son and two nephews, Johan got on Sabah's first ever electric-powered bus service known as eBusKK.
The eBusKK service is on a six-month trial run from June by Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB), the state government's investment arm.
The free service runs six days a week from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 12.30pm.
"This is something people of my generation, who have not gone out of the state can only experience by watching a movie.
"To be on an electric bus is really like taking a ride into the future," he said.
The 15-minute ride from KFC Sulaman to Sepanggar north of the city was enough to leave an impression on Johan.
"Not only is it comfortable, but the interior of the bus is spacious and it's air-conditioned. The bus looks so modern," said Johan who was amazed that the bus is running on electricity from a bank of batteries.
Like Johan, the brief ride left positive impressions on another passenger, Nur Hasliana, who said the eBusKK was a good starting point in efforts to modernise the state capital's public transportation.
"This is already 2022. Surely people in Kota Kinabalu deserve a more systematic public transportation system.
"Especially in this current economic situation where buying a car is getting more expensive, particularly for young graduates. The effort of initiating a systematic bus ride will help to alleviate traffic congestion and hopefully reduce living expenditure.
"The fact that this is an electric bus means it is good for the environment as well," said the office worker who travelled from University Apartment 1 to Sepanggar.
Nur Hasliana said she was looking forward to the day when the eBusKK service would become the mainstay in the state capital's public transportation system.
"At least we can enjoy a respite from the heat even if it's just for a little while," said the youth with a smile.
While the eBusKK trial run will operate until year end, its integration into the city public transportation service will take some time as various factors will need to be worked out first, QSB Head of Engineering and Energy Jeremy Kimsin said.
"We need to get feedback from various stakeholders including the various authorities such as Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board, Road Transport Department as well as various ministries and departments.
"We also need to engage with those who are already providing public transportation services such as the bus and minibus operators. Their input would be invaluable," he added.
He said the trial run service between the Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic in Sepanggar to Menara Kinabalu or the state government administrative complex at Teluk Likas had provided valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of the electric bus.
"We are learning things like how often the batteries of this vehicle would have to be recharged and the duration as well as the type of maintenance that needs to be carried out on the bus," Jeremy said.
He said the QSB technical team was also looking at possible locations of charging stations should electric-powered buses be introduced as part of the city's public transport system.
"This bus is a game changer; however, we have a long road ahead before it becomes a norm in our everyday life," Jeremy added.
Jeremy added that just like any other development projects, it first needs an initiation, and QSB is committed to start the framework and work tirelessly with others to turn this eBus vision into reality.
During the eBusKK launching on June 24, QSB Group chief executive officer Ahmad Rizal Dahli said feasibility studies will be conducted during this pilot run.
The outcome, he said, would pave the way for a detailed and overall planning of future eBus services, in the hope of providing a permanent eBusKK service by 2023.
Credit: Ersie Anjumin - New Straits Times
