SHAH ALAM: More than two million residents around the Klang Valley's western corridor are set to reap major benefits when the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project, now known as the Shah Alam Line, connecting Bandar Utama to Johan Setia spanning 37.8km, begins operations tomorrow.
Shah Alam Line (LRT3) Chief of Operations, Mohd Ariffin Idris, said the modern urban rail network was developed specifically to improve public transport connectivity and reduce critical traffic congestion in the corridor.
He said that the high-impact project, valued at RM16.63 billion, will act as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development, in addition to providing wider accessibility to key focal areas including Shah Alam, Klang, and Bandar Utama.
"We are targeting a daily ridership of 67,000 passengers in the first year of operation, which is expected to surge to 117,708 daily within five years post-operation.
"To facilitate passenger movement, the Shah Alam Line, which has an end-to-end travel time of around 70 minutes, will connect with two existing rail lines through Glenmarie 2 Station for connection to the Kelana Jaya Line, and Bandar Utama Station for connection to the Kajang Line," he said.
Mohd Ariffin said that through an allocation of RM4.7 billion in the 2024 Budget, the government confirmed the reconstruction of five previously deferred stations, namely Tropicana, Raja Muda, Temasya, Bukit Raja, and Bandar Botanik, which is scheduled to begin at the end of this year.
"The allocation also covers the procurement of seven additional train sets, enhancement of support systems, expansion of the existing depot in Johan Setia, as well as a RM600 million investment for 150 units of electric buses and two bus depots to support the net-zero carbon emission agenda," he said.
He said the LRT3 project makes history as the country's first rail project to use "U-Trough" technology, which is a pre-cast U-shaped girder block component equipped with noise barriers to minimise disturbance to nearby residents and accelerate the construction period.
"The aspect of environmental sustainability is also prioritised through the adaptation of green technology such as regenerative braking systems that convert train braking energy into electricity for station facilities.
"Station designs prioritise natural ventilation and lighting, while escalators are equipped with automatic functions to optimise energy use. Rainwater is also recycled for toilet use and irrigation systems.
"To ensure energy-saving efficiency inside the trains, the air conditioning system utilises Inverter technology and a Smart Air Conditioning System complete with temperature and load sensors, in addition to being equipped with LED lights and a Smart Internal Lighting System that capitalises on natural sunlight," he said.
Mohd Ariffin said the 37.8 km route encompasses 20 stations in total, including 2.5 km of underground track, and will be operated by 22 units of three-car trains manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou at a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h with a capacity of 624 passengers.
"Operating hours are scheduled from 6am to 12am with a frequency of every eight minutes during peak hours and 10 to 15 minutes during off-peak hours, utilising a platform design consisting of side platforms at 10 stations and island platforms at the other 10 stations.
"For commuters who drive, a total of 2,300 Park & Ride parking bays are provided at six main stations, namely 350 bays at Kayu Ara Station, bays at Damansara Idaman (150), 100 bays at Pasar Besar Klang (100), while Sri Andalas Station and Johan Setia each provide 550 bays, and 600 bays at Bandar Bukit Tinggi.
"This project also ensures that facilities for persons with disabilities (OKU) are fully provided, including ramps for wheelchair users, lift facilities to platforms, OKU-friendly toilets, tactile indicators for the visually impaired, as well as special seating inside each car. Trains are also equipped with light indicators on doors, chimes, and a door opening direction announcement system," he said.
He added that to strengthen first-mile and last-mile travel connectivity, they are providing a feeder bus service of 40 buses involving 13 routes and 323 bus stops with a fare rate of RM1, operating from 6am to 11:30pm at a frequency of every 20 minutes during peak hours.
"The facility is further supported by the Rapid On-Demand service using 44 vans with a 10-passenger capacity across 20 different zones at a fare rate of RM2.
"The routes and frequencies of both supporting services will be adjusted according to passenger demand after the opening of the line later on," he said. - NST
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