The Government of Malaysia has launched the 37.8 km LRT3 Shah Alam Line, providing a new high-capacity east-west urban rail corridor linking Bandar Utama, Shah Alam and Johan Setia in the Klang Valley. Opened by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 28, with passenger services commencing the following day, the automated driverless line is the first rapid transit route located entirely within Selangor, outside the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. Free travel on the line and Rapid KL feeder bus services will be available until July 31.
Designated as Rapid KL Line 11 and operated by Rapid Rail, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia, the line comprises predominantly elevated infrastructure with a 2 km underground section and uses communications-based train control (CBTC) supporting Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) driverless operations. The 70-minute end-to-end route serves key interchanges with the MRT Kajang Line, LRT Kelana Jaya Line and KTM Komuter services. Operations initially use 22 three-car trainsets supplied by CRRC Zhuzhou, each accommodating up to 624 passengers, while the government has announced plans to procure seven additional trainsets as ridership increases.
Construction of the Shah Alam Line began in 2016 but experienced delays due to cost rationalisation measures, the COVID-19 pandemic and signalling system challenges. As part of the cost optimisation programme, the number of planned stations was reduced from 25 to 20, with provisions for future expansion. The project is expected to improve public transport accessibility across western Klang Valley, reduce dependence on road transport and support regional mobility and sustainable urban development.