Commuters expecting women-only carriages on the newly opened LRT Shah Alam Line (LRT3) may have to wait a while longer.
Commenting on the proposal to introduce women-only zones, Prasarana President and Group Chief Executive Officer Amir Hamdan stated that the idea is still under review. He emphasised that any final decision will be based strictly on detailed study findings and passenger usage statistics.
Operational constraints of three-car trains
Amir explained that there are no immediate plans to allocate a specific carriage for women at this stage, as Prasarana first needs to assess genuine demand through commuter surveys and data analysis.
“It is important to note that the Shah Alam Line operates with only three-car trains. If a women-only carriage were to be introduced, it would likely be the middle one. However, for the time being, we have no target timeline for implementation,” he said.
Strong start for the Shah Alam Line
According to Amir, operations have run smoothly since launch, with peak-hour train frequencies maintained at roughly eight-minute intervals and no major technical issues reported.
“Based on our initial expectations, we estimate today’s ridership could reach between 5,000 and 10,000 passengers. We will have a clearer picture after the evening peak period, when more people are expected to try the line on their commute home from work,” he said during a media briefing held on Monday (29 June) to mark the line’s first day of operations, as reported by Berita Harian.
Continuous monitoring and future adjustments
Amir added that station facilities and services have remained entirely under control. The operator intends to monitor passenger travel patterns closely before introducing any operational improvements or adjusting train frequencies.
The initial surge in ridership over the coming days will serve as a benchmark to determine whether additional capacity is required.
“We will continue to monitor usage as more passengers begin using the ticketing machines and trains. That is a normal pattern whenever a new rail line begins operations,” he concluded.
Have you commuted via the LRT3 yet? How has your journey been so far? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: “Respect women’s rights” – KTMB Reminds Male Passengers NOT To Intrude Into Ladies’ Coach
