KUALA LUMPUR – The construction of five revived LRT3 stations will not delay the start of operations for the line, which is estimated to be on March 1 of 2025, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke (Seremban-PH).
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, he said Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, the nation’s public transportation systems and services provider, suggested two separate phases to begin operating the line, which will connect Shah Alam and Klang residents to the rest of the Klang Valley.
“Phase One, which covers the entire 37.8km track and 20 existing stations, is expected to begin operations on March 1, 2025.
“Safety assessments on the operation of the stations during the construction of the five (additional) stations are being carried out to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers while adhering to construction timelines,” Loke said in his Budget 2024 winding-up speech.
He added that Phase Two, involving the start of operations for the five reinstated stations is projected to take place during the second quarter of 2027, two years after the commencement of Phase One.
Noting that the LRT3 project has been underway since 2017, Loke said as of 2023, 89% of works for the project has been completed.
In responding to concerns on floods at the project site, the minister said Prasarana and project contractors have consistently engaged with local authorities, the Public Works Department, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Environment Department, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Department.
“This is to ensure that construction is conducted strategically in a way that meets approval requirements while minimising the risk of disruption to traffic and public safety as well as avoiding natural disasters such as flash floods, pollution and landslides.
“All constructions are according to approved plans and allowed work procedures, in addition to being supervised by professional engineers, surveyors and occupational safety officers,” Loke added.
He also said the RM4.7 billion allocation for the five stations – Tropicana, Temasya, Raja Muda, Bukit Raja and Bandar Botanik – will cover construction costs, including provisions to support the five stations’ power supply, distribution and communication systems.
The allocation will also be utilised for the procurement of three units of three-car train sets to maintain the six-minute headway for LRT3, since the journey time for each train from end-to-end will be slightly longer with the additional stations.
The train depot, the minister said, will also require upgrading with the addition of tracks, power conductor rails and maintenance vehicles.
Similar details were previously mentioned by Prasarana in a response to Scoop, in which the company added that the allocation will run the gamut of infrastructure requirements and be utilised on key priority areas under the project’s approved scope.
Prasarana also said the final cost of the project will only be known once the actual construction costs of all the elements has been determined.
During the tabling of Budget 2024 on October 13, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the revival of the five stations is expected to improve the public transport network in the Klang Valley and benefit two million citizens at a cost of RM4.7 billion.
In a visit to the Tropicana area, Scoop spoke to several residents who welcomed the project’s re-commencement as good news due to the increased ease of public transportation access. – November 2, 2023