Shah alam: Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) expects between 5,000 and 10,000 passengers to use the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) Shah Alam Line on its first day of operations today. Prasarana president and chief executive officer Amir Hamdan said the figure is projected to gradually increase to a target of 67,000 passengers daily in the first year of operations, depending on how quickly users become accustomed to the new line.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amir noted that the first day of operations, which began at 6 am, was met with enthusiasm from passengers who shared positive feedback on social media. Commuters expressed satisfaction in being able to travel to work more comfortably without the need to drive, thereby avoiding traffic congestion. Amir explained that new lines typically do not reach maximum capacity immediately and that usage patterns would be monitored over time.
Amir commented on the initial response, stating that the LRT3 is still in its early phase as riders are exploring the new service before incorporating it into their daily routines. He mentioned that operations have been smooth, with train frequency at approximately eight minutes during peak hours and all facilities functioning properly.
He further elaborated on the operational aspects, highlighting that Prasarana will keep a close watch on ridership, particularly at crucial interchange stations such as Glenmarie 2, which connects to the Kelana Jaya Line, and Bandar Utama, which links to the Kajang Line. Initially, the focus is on enhancing user experience, including the efficiency of automatic gates, ticketing machines, and passenger flow at stations.
Assessments will be conducted periodically, and if necessary, adjustments will be made, such as increasing train frequency or deploying additional trains to meet demand. Amir mentioned that there is no immediate need for special facilities like women-only coaches, but considerations will be made based on ridership data and user feedback.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday that passengers will enjoy free rides on the LRT3 Shah Alam Line services, including feeder buses operated by Prasarana, for one month from today until July 31.