The opening of Malaysia's LRT3 has been met with plenty of optimism. Stretching from Johan Setia to Bandar Utama, the new rail line has already made a noticeable difference for many commuters, particularly those travelling between Klang, Shah Alam, and Petaling Jaya. What used to be long, frustrating journeys through the heavily congested Federal Highway can now be completed in a fraction of the time.
For many, LRT3 represents exactly what public transportation should be,fast, convenient, and capable of reducing traffic congestion while encouraging more sustainable travel. The first few days of operation have generally been well received, with many users praising the comfort of the trains and the significant time savings.
Yet despite the successful launch, one issue has consistently surfaced across social media and among daily commuters: pedestrian accessibility.
A train system is only as useful as its first and last mile. While the trains themselves may be modern and efficient, many stations remain difficult to access on foot. Missing sidewalks, incomplete pedestrian paths, unsafe road crossings, and disconnected walkways have forced some commuters to navigate roads designed primarily for vehicles instead of people.
Interestingly, the public response appears to have prompted swift action.
Just hours ago, Selangor EXCO member Najwan Halimi announced that the pedestrian walkway connecting Shah Alam Stadium LRT Station to AEON Mall along Persiaran Sukan is currently under construction and is expected to be completed as early as tomorrow. He also shared that work will continue this Tuesday with another pedestrian route along Persiaran Akuatik.
This deserves recognition.
It demonstrates that the state government is listening to public feedback and responding with impressive speed. Infrastructure projects rarely move this quickly once issues are highlighted, and commuters will certainly appreciate seeing immediate improvements rather than waiting months or years.
However, while the efficiency is commendable, it also raises a larger question.
Why weren't these pedestrian connections completed before the railway officially opened?
Walkability should never be viewed as an optional upgrade that comes after launching a major public transport project. It is an essential component of the system itself. Every station should be designed with the expectation that people will arrive on foot, not just by car or motorcycle.
When a commuter exits a station only to encounter uneven roadsides, construction zones, or a lack of safe crossings, the convenience of the train journey is immediately diminished. In some cases, people may even choose to drive instead, defeating one of the primary goals of investing billions into rail infrastructure.
Malaysia has often focused heavily on building impressive transport systems. We have modern trains, attractive stations, and increasingly extensive rail networks. But world-class public transport is measured not only by what happens on the tracks, but also by everything surrounding them.
Countries renowned for excellent public transportation understand this well. Sidewalks, shaded walkways, proper lighting, pedestrian crossings, accessibility for wheelchair users, and seamless connections to nearby commercial and residential areas are all treated as part of the transport network, not separate projects to be addressed later.
The positive news is that the current response suggests the authorities recognize the issue and are taking concrete steps to fix it. That willingness to act should be applauded.
Moving forward, however, future infrastructure projects should adopt a more integrated approach. Rail lines, stations, pedestrian pathways, cycling infrastructure, bus connections, and surrounding public spaces should all be planned and completed together before the first passenger boards a train.
LRT3 has the potential to transform daily commuting across the Klang Valley, and its early success proves that Malaysians are eager to embrace reliable public transport. The challenge now is ensuring that getting to the station is just as convenient as travelling on the train itself.
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