Terengganu finally gets delivery of Amphicoach

Floating bus: The Amphicoach being parked near Sungai Terengganu

for public viewing in Kuala Terengganu. — Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU: After about a four-year wait, the Malta-made amphibious bus (Amphicoach) ordered by the Terengganu state government has finally arrived.

Videos of the amphicoach being test-driven on the banks of Sungai Terengganu on Thursday have gone viral.

Those who witnessed the test were clearly impressed and were seen knocking on the vehicle’s body.

The 12m-long Amphicoach has a 300 horsepower engine and is equipped with twin marine jets.

Stephen Morrison Smith, general manager of Ultimate Technology Ltd and maker of the Amphicoach, said the vehicle has the full comfort of a normal bus.

“We’re proud because it is the first in Malaysia,” he said after the 45-minute test drive.

The Amphicoach was driven from the Kampung Losong ferry jetty, passing the Crystal Mosque, and back.

While it has made a good first impression on the local folk, the bus’ journey to Terengganu was a bit of a bumpy ride.

The state government had purchased the bus for about RM3mil in 2014 and it was supposed to be delivered by May 2015 to boost tourism and for flood relief operations.

The state government had issued an ultimatum for the Amphicoach to be delivered by November 2017.

It finally arrived on Feb 18 and was parked at the Public Works Department depot.

The bus will be exhibited at Expo Terengganu 2018 from Feb 25 to March 3.

-thestar online.