Shah Alam line
The Shah Alam Line, designated as LRT3 and numbered 11 on Klang Valley transit maps, is a medium-capacity light rail transit line spanning 37.8 km primarily along elevated tracks from Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang, traversing the Shah Alam and Klang districts on the western periphery of the Klang Valley integrated transit system in Malaysia.[1][2] Featuring 20 stations, including interchanges at Bandar Utama with the MRT Putrajaya Line and at Glenmarie with the Kelana Jaya Line, the route incorporates 35.8 km of elevated viaducts and 2 km of underground sections to facilitate efficient urban mobility.[3][4] Developed by MRT Corporation and operated by Rapid Rail under Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, the line employs CRRC-manufactured trains capable of handling up to 24,960 passengers per hour per direction, aiming to alleviate congestion in underserved suburban areas lacking prior rail access.[5][6] Construction, initiated in 2016 at a cost exceeding RM21 billion, has been marked by repeated delays due to technical testing, contractual issues, and integration challenges, shifting the operational start from initial 2020 projections to the end of 2025.[7][3] Upon completion, it will represent Selangor's first fully dedicated LRT corridor, enhancing economic linkages between industrial hubs and residential zones while integrating with the broader rapid transit network.[8]History
Initial Proposal and Planning
The Shah Alam Line, designated as Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3), was first proposed in mid-2014 by Syarikat Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) as an extension of the Klang Valley's integrated public transport network to address connectivity gaps in the western corridor.[9] The initiative targeted high-density, underserved areas including Shah Alam, Glenmarie, and Klang, aiming to link approximately 2 million residents to Kuala Lumpur's city center via interchanges with existing lines such as the LRT Kelana Jaya and MRT Kajang.[6] Initial planning emphasized reducing road congestion on federal routes like the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and Federal Highway, with projected daily ridership of up to 74,000 passengers based on preliminary traffic impact assessments.[4] The proposed alignment spanned 37.6 kilometers from Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang, incorporating 27 stations—22 elevated and 5 underground—to serve industrial zones, residential townships, and commercial hubs.[4] Planning phases included environmental impact assessments (EIA) submitted in early 2015, stakeholder consultations starting in August 2014, and public inspection periods commencing on 15 May 2015 to incorporate feedback on route alignments and potential disruptions.[10] These efforts addressed concerns from local authorities and communities, such as alignment adjustments near sensitive areas like Tengku Kelana Jaya to minimize land acquisition and heritage impacts.[9] Technology selection favored an automated, driverless system using Bombardier's Innovia APM (SkyTrain) for elevated sections, chosen in April 2015 for its capacity to handle peak-hour demands of 20,000 passengers per hour per direction without third-rail electrification risks in humid conditions.[11] The initial budget was estimated at RM9 billion, funded primarily through government allocations under the 11th Malaysia Plan, with Prasarana overseeing feasibility studies that prioritized cost-effective viaducts over at-grade tracks to avoid freight rail conflicts.[12] Depot planning focused on sites in Glenmarie and Klang for maintenance and stabling of 37 three-car trainsets.[4]Approvals and Funding Challenges
The Shah Alam Line project, formally designated LRT3, was initially approved for development following the Malaysian government's announcement in Budget 2015, with an allocation of RM9 billion in federal funding to support its construction as a key extension of the Klang Valley's light rail network.[5] In September 2015, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad awarded the main construction contract to a joint venture between Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) and George Kent Bhd, marking the formal start of procurement under a project delivery partner model.[5] Funding challenges emerged prominently due to the project's escalating costs, originally projected to exceed RM30 billion amid ambitious scope including 50.5 km of track and 37 stations, straining public finances during a period of economic scrutiny post the 1MDB scandal.[13] In 2018, under the incoming Pakatan Harapan administration, a comprehensive government review identified unrealistic budgeting and scope creep as contributors to potential overruns, prompting restructuring to cap expenditures at RM21.93 billion—a reduction of RM9.72 billion from the initial RM31.65 billion approval—through measures such as shortening the alignment to 37 km, deferring five stations, and simplifying elevated sections.[14][13] This adjustment, while averting outright cancellation, highlighted systemic issues in Malaysian megaproject planning, including optimistic cost estimations and inadequate contingency for interface complexities between contractors.[15] Subsequent approvals addressed partial reversals of these cost-saving decisions; during the Budget 2024 tabling on October 13, 2023, Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim authorized the reinstatement of the five deferred stations, with revised estimates placing the additional outlay at RM5.3 billion to enhance connectivity and ridership potential.[16] Ongoing federal subsidies to Prasarana, including RM216 million annually as of Budget 2026, underscore persistent funding dependencies for operational viability, though these have remained stable without escalation tied directly to LRT3 overruns.[17] Despite these hurdles, the project avoided outright defunding, reflecting prioritized infrastructure commitments amid competing fiscal demands like debt servicing.Design Modifications and Cost Reductions
In 2018, following a comprehensive government review after a change in administration, the LRT3 project—later renamed the Shah Alam Line—was significantly revised to address escalating costs that had risen from an initial RM9 billion estimate in 2016 to RM31.65 billion.[18] These modifications reduced the total project cost by 47% to RM16.63 billion, primarily through scope adjustments aimed at aligning expenditures with projected ridership and fiscal constraints.[18][19] Key design changes included deferring the construction of five stations—Lien Hoe, Temasya, SIRIM, Bukit Raja, and Bandar Botanic—originally part of the 26-station plan, to future phases contingent on increased demand in those areas.[20] Station designs were scaled down in size and complexity, with reduced building footprints and simplified infrastructure to minimize land acquisition and construction expenses.[19] Rolling stock specifications were altered by shortening trains from six-car to three-car formations, which lowered procurement and maintenance costs while adapting capacity to anticipated initial usage levels.[14] The fleet size was also curtailed from an original projection of around 42 sets to 22 sets, further reducing depot requirements and operational overheads.[20] These alterations, announced by the Ministry of Finance on July 12, 2018, were justified as necessary to prevent project cancellation amid budget scrutiny, though critics argued they compromised long-term capacity and service efficiency.[18] Subsequent reinstatements of deferred stations in 2024 increased costs to RM21.93 billion, but the 2018 modifications remained foundational to the line's viability.[21]Construction Phases and Delays
The construction of the Shah Alam Line, also known as LRT3, commenced in early 2016 following the award of initial contracts, with the project encompassing 59 work packages including viaducts, stations, and systems integration managed by main contractor Setia Utama LRT3 Sdn Bhd. [22] The line's development proceeded through progressive package awards, such as 10 contracts for elevated guideways and stations by 2017, alongside rolling stock procurement.[22] Originally targeted for operational start in 2020, the timeline was extended to February 2024 amid cost pressures that prompted design modifications, including the provisional exclusion of five stations in 2022 to reduce the project budget from an initial RM16.63 billion.[4] [23] The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these setbacks by halting on-site activities, disrupting material supplies, and necessitating funding reallocations.[3] In 2023, the excluded stations were reinstated at an additional estimated cost of RM3.8 billion, with their construction deferred to post-opening of the core 20-station segment to prioritize main line commissioning.[23] By February 2025, overall works reached 99% completion, setting an interim operations target of September 30, 2025, after phased trial runs and fault-free testing spanning 75 days.[24] [25] However, extended signalling and safety certification processes delayed revenue service to late 2025.[7]Route and Infrastructure
Line Alignment and Length
The Shah Alam Line, also known as LRT3, spans a total length of 37.8 kilometres, comprising 35.8 kilometres of elevated track and 2 kilometres of underground tunnel.[26][27] The alignment primarily follows an elevated viaduct structure for 95% of its route, designed to minimize land acquisition and integrate with existing urban infrastructure in the western Klang Valley.[4] The line originates at Bandar Utama station in Petaling Jaya, interchanging with the MRT Kajang Line, and extends westward through densely populated areas including Damansara Utama, Tropicana, and Subang areas before entering Shah Alam city proper.[4][6] It continues southward along corridors parallel to major roads such as the Federal Highway and Persiaran Kewajipan, passing industrial and residential zones in Shah Alam's Sections 7, 15, and 24, with an interchange at Glenmarie station linking to the Kelana Jaya Line.[27] The route terminates at Johan Setia station in Klang, near existing LRT facilities, facilitating connectivity to the southwestern periphery of the Klang Valley.[4] This linear alignment prioritizes high-density corridors to serve approximately two million residents while avoiding extensive tunneling except for the brief underground segment at Glenmarie to navigate constrained urban topography.[6][28]Stations and Interchange Points
The Shah Alam Line consists of 20 stations along its 37 km route from Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang, primarily elevated with a brief underground segment near Persiaran Hishamuddin.[3] [2] Stations are designed for integration with local bus services and park-and-ride facilities at select locations to facilitate commuter access.[29] ![SS7 LRT station of Shah Alam Line from NKVE in Petaling Jaya, Selangor 20250402 155504.jpg][float-right] Interchange points enable seamless transfers within the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System. Bandar Utama station (SA01), the western terminus, provides direct paid-to-paid and free-to-free linkages with the adjacent MRT Kajang Line station (KG09), enhancing connectivity to Kuala Lumpur city center and beyond.[29] [7] Glenmarie station (SA07) serves as the primary eastern interchange, connecting via an integrated walkway to Glenmarie station (KJ27) on the LRT Kelana Jaya Line, supporting transfers toward Kuala Lumpur Sentral and Ampang.[7] [29] No additional interchanges with KTM Komuter or other heavy rail lines are planned, though feeder bus links are incorporated at multiple stations.[3] The stations, listed from west to east, include:| Station Name | Key Features/Location |
|---|---|
| Bandar Utama (SA01) | Terminus; interchange with MRT Kajang Line; near One Utama mall.[29] |
| Kayu Ara (SA02) | Serves residential areas in Petaling Jaya.[1] |
| BU11 (SA03) | Adjacent to Bandar Utama commercial district.[1] |
| Tropicana (SA04) | Provisional name; near Tropicana Golf & Country Resort.[30] |
| Damansara Idaman (SA05) | Links to Dataran Prima township.[1] |
| SS7 (SA06) | Serves Persada Plus area; proximity to NKVE highway.[1] |
| Glenmarie (SA07) | Interchange with LRT Kelana Jaya Line; industrial and commercial hub.[7] |
| Temasya (SA08) | Near Temasya Industrial Park.[1] |
| Kerjaya (SA09) | Adjacent to HICOM-Glenmarie industrial zone.[1] |
| Stadium Shah Alam (SA10) | Near Shah Alam Stadium and Malawati Stadium.[1] |
| UiTM Shah Alam (SA11) | Serves Universiti Teknologi MARA campus.[1] |
| Persiaran Hishamuddin (SA12) | Underground section; central Shah Alam access.[2] |
| Dato' Menteri (SA13) | Links to Shah Alam civic areas.[3] |
| Seksyen 7 Shah Alam (SA14) | Near i-City and Hospital Shah Alam.[3] |
| Seksyen 7 Shah Alam (SA15) | Additional coverage for Seksyen 7 residential and medical facilities.[3] |
| Bukit Raja (SA16) | Serves Lebuh Keluli industrial area.[3] |
| Bandar Baru Klang (SA17) | Connects to Bukit Raja township.[3] |
| Pasar Besar Klang (SA18) | Near Klang wet market and central Klang.[3] |
| Pelabuhan Klang (SA19) | Proximity to port-related activities.[3] |
| Johan Setia (SA20) | Eastern terminus; residential and future development zone.[3] |