KLANG, July 4 — The Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) which starts in Bandar Utama and ends in Johan Setia is expected to start its operations on March 1, 2025, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today,

Loke said that the progress of the LRT3 construction project, which is being carried out briskly, has so far reached 86 per cent, including other works such as the signalling system.

"We have 22 sets of three-coach trains currently being tested. It is expected that LRT3 will start operating on March 1, 2025, which is around 18 to 19 months from now.

"The entire project is expected to cost about RM16 billion, so we expect this project to be implemented well and I am confident that all parties will work together to ensure that this service starts operating on March 1, 2025,” he said during a site visit in Depoh Johan Setia here.

He also said the LRT3 will benefit over two million residents in the Klang Valley, especially from Petaling Jaya to Klang.

"This area, which is densely populated and developed, would see tens of thousands of passengers using LRT3,” he said.

He said that the capacity of the LRT3 was 18,630 passengers per hour per direction.

"This project will also have two interchange stations, namely in Bandar Utama which connects the MRT Kajang Line to LRT3 and Glenmarie, which connects between Kelana Jaya Line and LRT3.

"It is well connected; in the middle, there is a flyover that connects the two stations,” he said.

He also said the 22 sets of trains were new, comfortable, and equipped with "green technology to be more environmentally friendly.

He added that all the trains were ready and being tested for the opening.

During his visit to the depot and the LRT3 operation control centre, Loke said he did a test drive on the trial route using the train sent to the depot.

"LRT3 is an addition to public transport in the Klang Valley and also an important LRT system for us to ensure more people use public services in the Klang Valley,” he said.