After years of anticipation and a series of delays, the LRT3 Shah Alam Line officially entered passenger service on June 29, 2026, bringing long-awaited rail connectivity to one of the Klang Valley's busiest corridors. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the RM16.63 billion project at the Johan Setia Depot on June 28, describing it as a key investment in urban mobility, and to encourage public uptake, all rides on the new line are free until July 31, 2026.
The Route and Key Shah Alam Stations
The 37.8-kilometre line links Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya with Johan Setia in Klang, passing through Shah Alam and Subang. Twenty stations are now operational across Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang, with five more in-fill stations (Tropicana, Raja Muda, Temasya, Bukit Raja and Bandar Botanik) approved for completion by 2028.
The key Shah Alam stations include:
- Stadium Shah Alam (SA10), serving the iconic stadium and surrounding sports precinct.
- Dato' Menteri (SA12), also known as Shah Alam Sentral, located right next to SACC Mall and SA Sentral, the emerging central business district of Section 14.
- UiTM Shah Alam (SA14), serving the large university community.
- Seksyen 7 Shah Alam (SA15), connecting the busy residential and commercial hub of Section 7.
Interchanges to the Kelana Jaya LRT Line at Glenmarie 2 and the MRT Kajang Line at Bandar Utama allow commuters to travel seamlessly into Kuala Lumpur and across the wider Klang Valley.
Passenger Targets and Early Uptake
The line is expected to carry 67,000 passengers a day in its first year of operations and more than 117,000 daily within five years, benefiting some two million people living along the corridor. Prasarana Malaysia Berhad targeted up to 10,000 passengers on the very first day, and the response was enthusiastic, commuters, families and rail enthusiasts flocked to stations to capture memories of their inaugural journeys. The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed hope that the new service would help reduce traffic congestion and provide a faster, more comfortable travel option for residents of Klang and Shah Alam working in Kuala Lumpur.
The SA Sentral Transformation
Beyond mere convenience, the LRT3 is the backbone of the ambitious SA Sentral project, a 10-year, RM3 billion transit-oriented development that will transform Section 14 (and parts of Section 13) into a modern central business district for Shah Alam. Spearheaded by PKNS and MBSA, the 58.68-hectare development encompasses Plaza Alam Sentral, Plaza Perangsang, SACC Mall, SACC Walk, the PKNS Complex and the Shah Alam Convention Centre, with a pedestrian walkway connecting the Dato' Menteri LRT3 station directly to Plaza Alam Sentral slated for completion this year.
SA Sentral will feature serviced apartments, an international-standard convention centre, hotels, retail, a cultural hub known as The Spine, and a Linear Park linking Menara U to the LRT station. The project is expected to be fully completed by 2031, positioning Shah Alam to compete with Kuala Lumpur as a business destination.
Practical Information
The LRT3 is Malaysia's first rail project to use U-Trough technology, employing precast U-shaped girders that allow faster construction and incorporate noise barriers to minimise operational noise. Free rides, including dedicated feeder bus services (44 Rapid KL buses and 40 Rapid KL On-Demand vans along the corridor), run until July 31, 2026, making it the perfect time for Shah Alam residents to try out the new line.