(From third left) Lee, Azmi and others launch the free school bus service sticker after the briefing. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: The free school bus service programme to be be launched in April has a fleet of 32 buses serving 32 schools in the Kuching area, and will benefit about 144,000 students, says Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

“We will start in Kuching as a test bed. Once everything is running smoothly, the model can be used in other cities and towns in Sarawak,” he said at briefing with stakeholders at Yayasan Sarawak here yesterday.

Lee said the programme was still accepting input to improve it, and will gradually expand it to cover more areas, and later it would be introduced to Miri, Sibu and Bintulu.

“Eighteen zones and 21 routes havie been identified with three levels of operating hours – morning (5.30am to 7am), afternoon (11.30am to 2.30pm), and evening (5pm to 7pm).

“Concurrent with this initiative, the government will construct, upgrade and carry out improvement works for provision of bus shelters or stops and other associated infrastructure and facilities along the bus routes,” he said.

Lee added the free school bus service, with Yayasan Sarawak as an agency entrusted to manage it, is aimed at providing a convenient traveling mode to and from schools to lessen the financial burden of low-income families and reduce traffic congestion in the city.

He requested the cooperation of the service provider Kuching-Samarahan Divisions Bumiputera School Bus Operators Association to provide the best service.

He acknowledged there were challenges in implementing the programme but was confident that Yayasan Sarawak and the bus association would be able to iron out any teething issue.

Yayasan Sarawak director Azmi Bujang, meanwhile, explained in detail the 18 zones, 21 routes and schools to be covered by each route.

“If there is demand for more (routes) we will increase them.

“Each bus will be marked with the free school bus service stickers on the front, back and sides for identification,” he said.

Zone A refers to Kuching City Centre; Zone B Satok; Zone C Matang; Zone D and J Pending-SK Muhibah; Zone E Buntal; Zone F Semariang (Pinggir/Batu); Sungai Midin and Semerah Padi; Zone G and L Jalan Merdeka-Astana; Zone H Gita Laut; Zone I Taman Lee Ling; Zone K Pulau Salak; Pasir Panjang and Pasir Pandak; Zone M Rampangi; Zone N Malihah; Zone O Boyan, Gersik and Sourabaya Ulu; Zone P Desa Wira; Zone Q Tabuan; and Zone R Bako.

Azmi also said the buses could be tracked via an app, enabling parents and teachers to know the routes and schedule of each bus.