Sarawak ART Ticket Prices Expected to Be Cheaper Than LRT Prime Minister: Heavily Subsidized

(Kuching, 2nd) The ticket prices for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) under the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) are expected to be more affordable than Light Rail Transit (LRT), as the system will receive substantial subsidies from the Sarawak state government.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari said that the state government will bear the system's fixed operating costs to ensure that ticket prices charged to passengers always remain reasonable and affordable.

He explained that the government has conducted actuarial calculations on the operating costs and will take on the fixed costs; at the same time, an expected increase in passenger numbers—including tourists—will further help reinforce the operation of KUTS.

"I think we have benchmarked ticket prices against other places, but I am striving to ensure that our fares will be cheaper than elsewhere."

The Sarawak Premier made these remarks during a media interview yesterday after attending the "Station Naming Rights Agreement Signing Ceremony" for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) SM07 Station.

Abang Johari added that the provision of subsidies by the government is a common practice globally because public transportation systems cannot achieve full cost recovery solely through fares charged to passengers.

He pointed out that implementing affordable ticket prices is aimed at attracting the general public and tourists to actively use this modern transportation system.

At the same time, he explained that this will help alleviate the increasingly frequent traffic congestion in Kuching and Kota Samarahan, encouraging people to switch to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative mode of travel while reducing the number of vehicles on the road.