LRT3 to ease traffic pressure in Shah Alam and Klang Valley, Loke says
Shah Alam is among the areas expected to benefit the most, as several stations will be located along the city’s route.
SHAH ALAM - Traffic congestion in parts of the Klang Valley, particularly around Shah Alam, could ease once the LRT3 begins operations in the coming months, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.
Loke said the long-awaited rail line linking Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama and Klang is expected to help reduce traffic pressure along key urban corridors, although it will not completely resolve congestion.
“I don’t dare to say that it will resolve all the problems, but at least it will alleviate some congestion,” he said during a Fireside Chat session at the Table for Unity: Ramadan in Diversity programme held at the Karangkraf Complex last Friday.
The DAP secretary-general said Shah Alam is among the areas expected to benefit the most, as several stations will be located along the city’s route.
“The LRT3 connecting Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama and Klang will pass through Shah Alam and there will be many stations there,” he said.
Loke added that the project is nearing completion and could begin operations within the next two to three months.
“That will be completed or opened, hopefully, in the next two to three months. So we hope that by next Ramadan, it will help resolve part of the traffic issues in Shah Alam,” he said.
The 37.8-kilometre rail line, also known as the Shah Alam Line, is expected to improve connectivity across several densely populated areas in Selangor while offering commuters an alternative to road travel.
Traffic congestion has long been a recurring issue in the Klang Valley, particularly during festive seasons such as Ramadan and Chinese New Year.
Loke acknowledged that seasonal traffic surges have become a familiar pattern for road users.
“As we all know, this happens every year. During Ramadan or before Chinese New Year, traffic will build up and for certain hours it can be very bad,” he said.
However, he noted that many commuters have grown accustomed to the situation and often adjust their travel schedules accordingly.
“I think we are quite used to it, so a lot of people know how to adjust their timing,” he added.
Earlier this year, just a week before the Chinese New Year celebrations in February, concerns were raised that worsening congestion in the Klang Valley was no longer purely seasonal.
Transport experts attributed the issue to the rapid increase in private vehicles on the road, combined with public transportation systems struggling to keep pace with urban growth.
The expansion of rail networks such as the LRT3 is therefore seen as a key step toward improving mobility and encouraging commuters to shift away from private vehicles.
For daily commuters, particularly those travelling between Klang and Petaling Jaya, the line could offer a faster and more reliable alternative to driving, potentially easing peak-hour gridlock across the Klang Valley.
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