ART trial in Putrajaya till 31st July
Many of us have become regular commuters on public transportation to beat the heavy traffic on our roads. They’re convenient and we don’t have to fret about finding a parking spot either.
Going beyond the regular LRT and MRT trains is an eco-friendly public transport system – the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) – which is currently coasting the streets of Putrajaya. While on trial, Malaysia’s administrative centre will be offering free rides to all on this trackless electric tram, from 13th May till 31st July 2024.
Free rides on the ART in Putrajaya till end-July
Perbadanan Putrajaya announced the free rides for commuters on their Facebook page. The three-month trial period of the ART in the administrative capital will run from now till end-July, with two routes operating on the weekdays and weekends from 8.30am-5.30pm.
Image credit: Perbadanan Putrajaya via Facebook
For the uninitiated, the ART combines the accessibility of a tram with the track-free ease of a bus, with the system widely emphasised to be eco-friendly and cost-effective compared to other traditional public transportation systems.
The trackless intelligent tram in Putrajaya is an Electric Vehicle (EV) manned by a driver, but automatically follows a route on a virtual track. It has three carriages and carries 293 passengers, and is expected to be on trial in Putrajaya until December 2024.
Two routes for the ART in Putrajaya
Image credit: Perbadanan Putrajaya via Facebook
As for routes, the electric tram in Putrajaya will run on Route 1A from Mondays to Fridays. It’ll begin its journey at MRT Putrajaya Sentral, towards Labuh Wawasan, Persiaran Perdana, Lingkaran Gemilang, and then back to MRT Putrajaya Sentral.
Route 2B, which operates on Saturdays and Sundays, will also start from MRT Putrajaya Sentral, and onwards towards Persiaran Perdana, Lebuh Bestari, Persiaran Timur, and IOI Putrajaya before returning to the MRT stop.
Image credit: Perbadanan Putrajaya via Facebook
To ride the train, you’ll just have to scan a QR code on the electric tram at the pick-up passenger station. As many as three trips will run daily.
Hop aboard the trackless tram in Putrajaya
There are currently ART trials in Johor and Sarawak. The first is set to have 31 stations on three lines, and the latter is expected to launch in 2026. So Malaysians can look forward to have more options of public transport systems in the near future, even beyond Putrajaya.
While you’re in Putrajaya, you’ll want to check out:
- Things to do in Putrajaya
- Taman Saujana Hijau, a sprawling park
- China-Malaysian Friendship Garden, a Chinese garden
Cover image adapted from: Perbadanan Putrajaya via Facebook