“LRT3 from Bandar Utama to Johan Setia is set to begin operations on Sept 30, 2025. The 37.8km line is 98.63% complete, with trial runs starting in April. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirms full handover to Prasarana by July 31.“
Kuala Lumpur, 27th Feb 2025, 01.11pm – The highly anticipated Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project, connecting Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang, is set to commence operations on September 30, 2025, announced Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
The 37.8km-long rail line has reached 98.63% completion and is on track for full completion and handover to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd by the turnkey contractor on July 31, 2025, Loke stated in a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday.
Phased Trial Runs for Safety Assurance
Loke addressed a query from Azli Yusof (Pakatan Harapan-Shah Alam) regarding the latest status of the LRT3 project, including its trial run schedule and targeted operational date.
To ensure the system’s safety and reliability, Loke explained that trial runs would be conducted in two phases:
- Phase 1: A trial run (TR) and fault-free run (FFR) will be carried out by the main contractor, Setia Utama LRT3 Sdn Bhd, from mid-April to late June 2025, spanning 75 days. During this period, the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) will evaluate safety compliance and system performance.
- Phase 2: A trial operation phase will follow, conducted by Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd with technical assistance from the main contractor. This phase, expected to last 60 days from July to August 2025, will begin only after APAD grants approval for TR and FFR.
Project Cost and Development
LRT3 was originally introduced in 2016 under the Barisan Nasional administration, designed with 26 stations to serve the western corridor of the Greater Klang Valley. The project was initially budgeted at RM9 billion, but this figure excluded various additional costs such as project delivery partner fees (6%), consultant fees, operational expenses, overhead costs, and interest payments during construction, ultimately inflating the total cost to RM31.7 billion.
In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government took cost-cutting measures, reducing the project’s budget to RM16.63 billion by shelving the construction of five stations and canceling one.
However, during the Budget 2024 presentation in Dewan Rakyat, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the reinstatement of the previously shelved stations—Tropicana, Raja Muda, Temasya, Bukit Raja, and Bandar Botanik—at an estimated cost of RM4.7 billion.
With the LRT3 project nearing completion, its launch is expected to significantly enhance connectivity and ease traffic congestion within the Greater Klang Valley.
