MRT Circle Line

This article is about the rapid transit system in Malaysia. For the line in Singapore, see Circle MRT line. For other similarly named rapid transit systems in other cities, see Circle Line.

The MRT Circle Line, also known as MRT 3, is a proposed thirteenth rail transit line, the third Mass Rapid Transit line and the fifth fully automated and driverless rail system in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. Once completed, this line would form the loop line of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System. The director of this project is currently Tuan Haji Mohd Yusof Kasiron.^[3] The circle line will be numbered 13 and coloured blue violet on official transit maps.^[4] Before 4 July 2024, the circle line was coloured grey on its official alignment map.^[5]

Circle Line
13
Overview
Native name	MRT Laluan Lingkaran
Status	Approval from Ministry of Transport
Owner	MRT Corp
Line number	13 (Blue violet)
Locale	Klang Valley
Termini	CC01  Bukit Kiara Selatan  CC32  UM
Stations	32 (2 provisional)
Website	mrt3.pi.mymrt.com.my
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	Rapid KL
Services	Circle route
Operator(s)	Rapid Rail
Depot(s)	Kampung Puah Depot Taman Midah Depot
Rolling stock	TBD
History
Commenced	2028[1] (expected)
Planned opening	2032 (expected)
Technical
Line length	50.8 km (31.6 mi)[2] Elevated: 40.1 km (24.9 mi) Underground: 10.7 km (6.6 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC third rail
Conduction system	Automated and driverless
Operating speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map MRT3 Official Map

v t e Line 13 - MRT Circle Line
Legend
2 Jalan Kuching Titiwangsa  34812 Dutamas Kampung Puah Taman Sri Sinar Jalan Langkawi Bukit Segambut Ayer Panas Depot Mont Kiara Danau Kota Sri Hartamas Setapak Rejang Bukit Kiara 9 Bukit Kiara Selatan Setiawangsa 5 AU2 UM Taman Hillview 5 Universiti Tasik Ampang Pantai Permai Kampung Pandan 2 Pantai Dalam Pandan Indah 3 Jalan Klang Lama Taman Kencana 12 Kuchai Taman Midah Depot Salak Jaya Taman Cheras 4 Salak Selatan Taman Midah 9 Sri Permaisuri Jalan Yaacob Latif

Proposed route for the MRT Circle Line as of September 2024.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000020-QINU`"'
Black: Underground alignment
Blue violet: Elevated alignment

It is one of three planned mass rapid transit (MRT) rail lines under the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Project by MRT Corp. The MRT Circle Line is expected to form a loop line circling but not entering Kuala Lumpur's central business district, while linking up the radial rail lines. Interest in building the line resurfaced in early 2015;^[6] the project was shelved by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in May 2018^[7][8] but was later on revived in November 2020.^[9] Constructions are expected to begin in 2028 and slated for full operation by 2032. The estimated construction cost is expected to be in line with the MRT Putrajaya Line which will be around RM31 billion while the land acquisition cost is estimated to be at RM8.4 billion.^[10]

With 50.8 km (31.6 mi) of rail alignment, a total of 32 stations, which will consist of 25 elevated and 7 underground stations will be built. The circle line is expected to stretch while forming a loop from Bukit Kiara to PPUM and it will include densely populated areas such as Mont Kiara, Segambut, KL Metropolis, Titiwangsa, Setapak, Setiawangsa, Ampang, Salak South, Pandan Indah, Pantai Dalam, Cheras and Universiti Malaya.

History

Proposal and cancellation

In August 2016, MRT Corp announced that it expected to submit the study on the MRT Line 3 to the government by the end of the year.^[11] This was followed by a statement on 6 September 2017 by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who indicated that plans were being drawn up to fast-track the construction of MRT 3 for completion before 2027.^[12] On 27 October 2017, during the announcement of Budget 2018, Prime Minister Najib Razak reiterated this intention by proposing that MRT 3 be completed before 2025. Subsequently, on 3 January 2018, former CEO of Rapid Rail, Dato' Ir. Zohari Sulaiman, was appointed as project director by MRT Corp to oversee the development.^[13] However, on 30 May 2018, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced the cancellation of the MRT 3 project due to fiscal constraints.^[14][8] Two days later, on 1 June 2018, Dato' Sri Shahril Mokhtar, CEO of MRT Corp, stated that the decision was understandable given the financial situation, but emphasised the importance of completing MRT 3 in the future to "close all the loop".^[15]

Review and revival

Momentum was revived on 23 December 2019 when Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that a review of MRT 3 was under way.^[16] The project received Cabinet approval on 3 April 2021, with construction slated to begin in the second half of the year.^[17] On 13 April 2021, it was revealed that the line would feature around 30 stations and 10 interchanges, forming a circular alignment from Bukit Kiara to the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). The line would be built in five phases over ten years.^[18] On 6 August 2021, MRT Corp issued a letter to the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur regarding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Impact Assessment (SIA) studies to be conducted by ERE Consulting Group between June and December 2021.^[19] Later, on 24 September 2021, CEO Mohd Zarif Mohd Hashim stated at City Expo Malaysia (CEM) that the MRT Circle Line would connect all eight radial lines in Klang Valley and serve as the backbone of a more integrated transport network.^[20][21] On 4 March 2022, then Prime Minister Ismail Sabri confirmed the Cabinet's approval for the reimplementation of MRT 3.^[22] A media briefing on 15 March 2022 clarified that the project would consist of 51 km (31.7 mi) of track; 40 km (24.9 mi) elevated and 11 km (6.8 mi) underground, operating in a circular alignment with the first phase opening in 2028 and full completion by 2030.^[2]

In the 2023 Budget, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as Finance Minister, announced that the government would re-evaluate MRT 3's total expenditure with a target to reduce the cost below RM45 billion. Meanwhile, MRT Corp extended the bidding deadline for project tenders to the end of 2023.^[23] On 2 September 2024, MRT Corp commenced a three-month public inspection exercise that concluded on 2 December 2024. A dedicated microsite was launched detailing the line alignment and station features, supported by information kiosks in MRT stations and mobile info trucks along the corridor.^[24][25][26] On 17 July 2025, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook approved the Final Railway Scheme, clearing the way for land acquisition to begin, with completion targeted for the end of 2026. MRT Corp announced that 93.3 percent of feedback received during the public inspection supported the project, and the number of land lots required had been reduced from 1,012 to 690, representing a 31 percent decrease.^{[27][28][29][30]}

Network

On the morning of 4 July 2024, the infographic alignment map on MRT Corp official website was updated to show its new purple colour scheme, but did not include Mont Kiara station on its alignment.^[4] There will be a total of 32 stations (25 elevated + 7 underground), 3 of which are provisional stations. It will also be served by 2 depots. All of the station names are interim and subject to change.

Station Code	Working Name	Position	Park & Ride	Interchange / Notes
CC01	Bukit Kiara Selatan	Elevated	N/A	Interchange station with  KG12A  MRT Kajang Line via purpose-built infill station. Elevated section up to the Sri Hartamas station.
CC02	Bukit Kiara		N/A	(Provisional station)
CC03	Sri Hartamas	Underground	N/A	Also serves Mont Kiara
CC04	Bukit Segambut		N/A
CC05	Taman Sri Sinar		✓
CC06	Dutamas		N/A	Walking distance to MITEC and will serve the upcoming KL Metropolis district.
CC07	Kompleks Duta		N/A	Interchange station with  KA04A  KTM Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line via purpose-built infill station.
CC08	Titiwangsa	Elevated	N/A	Interchange station with  AG3  SP3  MR11  PY17  LRT Ampang Line, LRT Sri Petaling Line, KL Monorail Line and MRT Putrajaya Line.
CC09	Kampung Puah		✓	(Provisional station)
CC10	Jalan Langkawi		✓
CC11	Danau Kota		N/A
CC12	Setapak		N/A
CC13	Rejang	Underground	N/A
CC14	Setiawangsa	Elevated	N/A	Interchange station with  KJ5  LRT Kelana Jaya Line.
CC15	AU2		N/A	(Provisional station)
CC16	Taman Hillview		✓	460m to Highland Towers site
CC17	Tasik Ampang		N/A
CC18	Kampung Pandan		✓
CC19	Pandan Indah		✓	Interchange station with  AG15  LRT Ampang Line.
CC20	Taman Kencana		✓
CC21	Taman Cheras		✓
CC22	Taman Midah		N/A	Interchange station with  KG24  MRT Kajang Line.
CC23	Jalan Yaacob Latif		N/A	Connected to Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM) and UKM Child Specialist Hospital.
CC24	Sri Permaisuri		✓
CC25	Salak Selatan		✓	Interchange station with  SP13  LRT Sri Petaling Line.
CC26	Salak Jaya		N/A
CC27	Kuchai		N/A	Interchange station with  PY27  MRT Putrajaya Line.
CC28	Jalan Klang Lama		✓
CC29	Pantai Dalam		N/A	Connecting station, without paid-area integration, with  KD03  KTM Tanjung Malim-Port Klang Line.
CC30	Pantai Permai		N/A
CC31	Universiti		N/A	Interchange station, with  KJ19  LRT Kelana Jaya Line. Connected to KL Gateway Mall and will serve the Bangsar South district.
CC32	UM	Underground	N/A	Connected to Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM), known in English as the University of Malaya Medical Centre, and will also serve the University of Malaya.