LRT3 Shah Alam Line needs further testing, operational start delayed to end-2025

The highly anticipated Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3) is now set to begin service at the end of this year, following a slight delay from its earlier targeted start of operations of September 30th, the New Straits Times reports. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed the revised timeline today, assuring that the Klang-to-Petaling Jaya alignment will be operational before 2026 begins.

Speaking to reporters in Putrajaya, Loke explained that additional testing requirements had pushed back the launch. “We are committed to ensuring that the initial LRT3 alignment from Klang to Petaling Jaya will begin operating before year-end. The project has been closely monitored and we are confident it can be opened to the public as planned,” he said.

The announcement brings some clarity after reports earlier today suggested that the line’s debut had been postponed until late 2025. Loke stressed that this was not the case, pointing out that the line is already in its final stages of preparation. As of July, the project was reported to be over 99% complete, with full testing underway.

The new 37.8 km LRT3 line, stretching from Bandar Utama to Johan Setia in Klang, will feature 25 stations, including key interchanges at Bandar Utama—connecting to the Kajang MRT Line—and Glenmarie, which links with the Kelana Jaya LRT Line. When fully operational, the system is expected to accommodate up to 18,630 passengers per hour in each direction, with trains running at six-minute intervals.

Testing has been rigorous. Each of the 22 trains must undergo thousands of kilometres of trial runs to ensure reliability, with the first train required to complete 4,000 km fault-free. Others must achieve at least 2,000 km of testing before being cleared.

Trial runs, including Train Run (TR) and Full Fast Running (FFR) tests, are being carried out with oversight from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). Only after these trials are successfully completed will trial operations (TO) with Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd commence.

Costing RM16 billion, the LRT3 project has undergone significant changes since it was first announced, including down-scaling and cost adjustments following the 2018 change in government. Despite these challenges, the line is now nearing the finish line and is set to become a major boost to Klang Valley’s rail connectivity.

Once in service, LRT3 is expected to benefit more than two million residents by easing congestion and providing a faster, more efficient commuting option across one of the Klang Valley’s busiest corridors.

All that said, the country hasn’t been facing much luck lately with light rail transit as our most recent memory with such announcements had been regarding the Aerotrain at Terminal 1 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which after being shuttered for repairs for years, faced service disruptions just days after a much-awaited relaunch on July 1st. Other than that, August 5th saw a door-related issue, which was thankfully fixed shortly after.