KUCHING, Nov 12 — Pilot operations of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) service along the initial Rembus-Northbank route are targeted to begin by the end of this year, said Caretaker Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

He said the service would further integrate Samarahan into the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), which uses ART technology as a key component of Sarawak’s modern public transport network.

“With the ART depot located in Rembus, Samarahan has become part of the main network of the modern public transportation system being developed by the Sarawak government,” he said.

His speech at the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council’s (MPKS) 10th Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday was read out by Caretaker Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister and Asajaya incumbent Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.