Malaysia: First electric bus service trial run to begin soon in Sabah’s capital, GML to supply aluminium coaches

The Malaysian state Sabah occupying the northern part of the island of Borneo has been anticipated to begin its first electric bus (e-Bus) trial run soon in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital.

Muhammad Khairulnizam Hasnan, the chief communications officer of Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB), the Sabah government's strategic investment arm stated that: “The final preparations were being carried out and the routes for the e-bus service were being finalised.”

However, the e-Bus service is initiated by QSB in association with Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd, one of Asia's leading e-Bus and aluminium bus body manufacturers.

"A few other matters are being ironed out as well with the various authorities before we can get this trial service rolled out next year," he added.

"We are eager to get it going and the feedback we are getting is that the city folks are looking forward to experiencing what the e-bus is all about."

Khairulnizam said: “QSB was introducing the e-bus service as part of its contribution towards improving Kota Kinabalu's public transport system.”

“The e-bus makes sense because it is environmentally friendly and the use of electric-powered vehicles is gaining momentum worldwide.”

He further commented that it was also for this reason that QSB had proposed the introduction of rapid transit service in the form of a 25.5km Skytrain service from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Alamesra.