PUBLIC transport is more than just a way to get from one point to another. For many students, working adults and public in Sarawak, it’s a necessity and a part of daily life.
As a student from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and currently undergoing my internship with Sarawak Tribune, the K10 City Public Link bus route has become my reliable mode of transport in my daily journey from Kota Samarahan to Saujana, Kuching.
Without my own transport, I rely heavily on the City Public Link bus service to travel to the centre of the city for my work.
Using the K10 bus service gave me a close and personal look at the reality of public transport, with all its conveniences, challenges and hopes for improvement.
My day starts early. The first K10 bus departs from Kota Samarahan near to Summer Mall at 7.30am. Since the bus operates on fixed schedule, being punctual is a must.
Missing the bus would mean waiting another 40 minutes to 1 hour for the next one. The K10 route connects from Kota Samarahan all the way to Saujana terminal, Kuching. The route also passes through several important stops along the way.
That includes Unimas and residential areas near Kota Sentosa where many workers and public reside.
Since the final bus of the day departs at 5pm from Saujana terminal it means that I must plan my working hours carefully, especially during my internship.
For students like me, the fare is affordable as it costs RM 1 per trip compared to using e-hailing services that will cost me more.
This definitely is a budget friendly option, especially when commuting daily for my work purpose.
A month ago, the BAS.MY Kuching Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme began operations in the city as well as Serian town and this new modernised public transport in Sarawak is a clear sign of efforts to upgrade bus services in Sarawak.
These new buses are equipped with air conditioning, clean seating and most importantly cashless payment options where users can pay for their journey using QR codes or debit cards, making the bus ride experience more convenient especially for those who do not carry cash.
For me personally, I find the cashless payment system to be the most significant improvement, because it saves time and reduces the hassle of searching for small change. Particularly during busy mornings or even the rush back home where the bus is crowded with workers and public.
But the SBST programme does not cover the K10 route. Therefore, K10 route is still under the City Public Link bus and relies on cash payment only.
The condition of the older buses is more function based and not so much for comfort. The hard plastic seats and limited ventilation makes the journey less comfortable during hot afternoons and evenings.
As a regular user, I hope the entire City Public Link operation upgrades its buses to provide a uniform and better experience for all commuters.
Other than that, one of the biggest challenges I face is the unpredictability of the bus schedule. Although the K10 route has fixed timings the frequency is limited to two buses.
Which means missing one often means waiting for the next. Unlike in Peninsular Malaysia, City Public Link does not yet have a mobile application that allows users to track the bus in real time.
In Kuala Lumpur, commuters can check the estimated arrival of buses by using the MyRapid. Here in Kuching, commuters like me really do rely on routine and a little luck to catch the bus at the last minute.
Therefore, the availability of real time tracking apps will provide great convenience and also will allow passengers like me to plan journeys more effectively.
As a daily commuter and a student, I sincerely hope the City Public Link bus service in Sarawak will continue to operate.
But expanding the cashless payment system to all buses and upgrading older buses and increasing the frequency of bus service would significantly enhance the commuting experience.
