Miri Smart Bus tour showcases tourism potential, community concerns in Senadin

MIRI (July 3): In a proactive move to boost local tourism and promote smart mobility, Miri Deputy Mayor Ariffin Mohamad led the Miri City Council (MCC) Tourism Development Committee on an exploratory ride aboard the city’s Smart Bus to Senadin on Tuesday.

The initiative, dubbed the ‘Exciting Trip with Smart Buses’, is part of MCC’s broader commitment to developing sustainable and community-focused tourism under the Miri Smart City programme.

The journey provided the committee with an opportunity to assess on-the-ground issues affecting residents, including clogged drains and garbage accumulation, while simultaneously identifying tourism potential within the Senadin area.

The group boarded the Smart Bus from the city centre and travelled to northern Senadin, making observations on infrastructure and areas in need of improvement. On the return trip, the delegation visited the Miri Visitors Information Centre located next to the city bus terminal.

A key highlight of the visit was a discussion with officials from the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), focusing on strengthening collaboration to promote rural tourism and improve service quality across Miri’s lesser-known destinations.

“The MCC Tourism Development Committee will compile a detailed report based on this visit, with actionable recommendations to support tourism development in Miri,” said Ariffin.

He added that the initiative complements similar site visits conducted previously, including one to the Pujut area, as part of ongoing efforts to evaluate local environmental and tourism potential.

The programme is also part of the Miri City Bus Joy Ride campaign, an initiative spearheaded by MCC’s Tourism Development Standing Committee to encourage the use of public transport equipped with smart technologies.

The Smart Bus route, which spans from Pelita Tunku to Senadin and back, takes approximately one hour for a round trip and features several convenient stops for the public.

Residents are encouraged to embrace this modern mode of travel and explore Miri’s growing range of smart services by downloading the Sarawak Smart City App, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The initiative reinforces Miri’s ambition to become a leading smart city in Sarawak, integrating technology, sustainability, and community well-being into everyday urban life while revitalising its tourism economy.