KUCHING: Alan Lee emerged as the grand prize winner of Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd’s (Sarawak Metro) inaugural hydrogen bus photography contest.
His winning entry – a shot of Southeast Asia’s first hydrogen-powered bus passing along the Main Bazaar – won him the grand prize of a mini tablet.
Apart from that, his other entry in the contest – a photo of a man and a little boy taking a ride together on the hydrogen bus – also bagged the third prize of a smartphone.
Siew Thiam Lok won the second prize, a smartphone, with his entry of the hydrogen bus passing along Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg against the backdrop of the newly-opened Borneo Cultures Museum. Sarawak Metro’s chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa presented the prizes during a simple ceremony held here yesterday.
He thanked all the ardent photographers for their creative entries that captured the hydrogen buses in various locations around the city or interesting photos of passengers riding the buses.
“We appreciate your taking part in this competition which was organised to promote the hydrogen bus service as well as to encourage members of the public to try out this service and go on a ride on this first hydrogen powered bus in Southeast Asia,” Mazli said, adding that Sarawak Metro was overwhelmed with the entries submitted.
Initially, the contest was held from 20 November 2021 to 29 January 2022. Sarawak Metro decided to extend the competition until 26 February in view of the encouraging response. A total of 144 submissions were received during the duration of the competition. Two winners were picked every fortnight and a total of 14 winners were selected during the competition.
Some of the prizes won by the fortnightly winners were stays at Damai Beach Resort and Grand Margherita hotel; dining vouchers at Grand Margherita hotel’s Mei San Restaurant; as well as dining vouchers at Sarabif Butcher Shop and Western Grill. All the winners were then shortlisted for the grand prizes.
“We were excited to receive so many creative shots from members of the public, who took the time to get the most interesting photos of our hydrogen buses with some of the most amazing backdrops that Kuching city has to offer,” Mazli said.
The contest was held to encourage the public to try out the hydrogen bus free passenger service and experience travelling on zero-emission public transport vehicles that are helping to make the city greener.
Currently, the hydrogen bus trial operation runs on two routes – the Downtown Heritage Loop and the Damai Loop. The Downtown Heritage Loop operates daily from Monday to Sunday while the Damai Loop operates on weekends.
Sarawak Metro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has been entrusted to develop the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project, which aims to reduce traffic congestion in Greater Kuching.
The KUTS project will be developed in phases, and Phase 1 will involve the construction of two lines – Line 1, which is from Rembus in Kota Samarahan to the city centre covering a distance of 28 km; and Line 2, which is from 12th Mile Kuching-Serian Expressway to the Isthmus (24 km).
At the heart of the KUTS project is the hydrogen-powered ART, which will be complemented by a network of feeder buses that will also be powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
