KOTA KINABALU: A trial run of Sabah’s first electric bus (e-bus) service for the state capital will likely be conducted early next year.

       Its routes are currently being finalised.

       The service is under the state government’s strategic investment arm, Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB).

       QSB chief communications officer Muhammad Khairulnizam Hasnan said several technicalities still need to be ironed out with various authorities before trials can start.

       “Qhazanah is introducing the e-bus service as part of its contribution to improve Kota Kinabalu’s public transport system.

       “We are eager to get it going and the feedback we are getting is that folks here are looking forward to experiencing the e-bus,” said Muhammad Khairulnizam in a statement yesterday.

       He said that the e-bus makes sense because it is environmentally-friendly and electric-powered vehicles are gaining momentum worldwide.

       Due to this, too, QSB has proposed the introduction of a rapid transit service in the form of a 25.5km skytrain service connecting Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Alamesra.

       He was referring to the memorandum of understanding inked late last month between QSB subsidiary WHSB Ventures Sdn Bhd and several partners for the skytrain project.

       It includes a 6.4ha mixed development venture in Tanjung Lipat, Likas.

       (The document is a formal non- binding collaboration to explore the project pending final negotiations leading to a formal agreement, thus matters are still at a preliminary stage, according to WHSB Ventures.)

       Muhammad Khairulnizam said this is part of the company’s endea-vour to transform Kota Kinabalu’s public transport service for the benefit of Sabah as a whole.

       “We realise this is a long-term effort and there is much to be done. We intend to do our part to help make it happen,” he added.