Loke: LRT3 Set To Begin Operations In Q3 2025 - 95.6% Complete

The Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project is on track to ferry passengers by the third quarter (Q3) of next year (2025), says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

According to Loke, the physical construction on the LRT3 project is expected to be finished by Oct this year, having progressed to a 95.6% completion rate. Subsequently, there will be a three to four month testing and commissioning phase after system integration, followed by further tests through early next year.

Set to serve more than two million people, the LRT3 project in Petaling Jaya extends from Klang to Bandar Utama. Even though the Covid-19 epidemic caused delays, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and its contractors have been working hard to make up for lost time and keep the project on schedule.

Loke went on to say that the cabinet decided on July 5 to bring back five stations that had been cancelled: Tropicana, Temasya, Raja Muda, Bukit Raja, and Bandar Botanik. However, this would necessitate more work, like building three bus depots, expanding the train station at Johan Setia, as well as acquiring 150 feeder electric buses and seven sets of three-car trains.

It is anticipated to cost RM3.8 billion to reopen these five stations, which were first put on hold in 2018 owing to low passenger ridership projections. This budget pays for contractors, rolling stock acquisitions, electronic bus construction, bus depot construction, infrastructure, system costs, and the restoration of the project scope.

Loke promised that LRT3, which will have 20 stops, would not be affected by the extra work needed for these stations when it first opens and goes into service. Two more years will be needed for the installation of these five stations. But this won't have an impact on the LRT3's opening or regular operations," he reaffirmed.

The RM16 billion LRT3 project is expected to boost connectivity and public transport choices for Klang Valley residents. LRT3 is expected to be completed and put into service early in the following year, marking a major turning point in the development of public transit in Malaysia.

Source: NewStraitsTimes & FB Warga Prasarana