PUCHONG, March 28 — Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) launched today four new LRT stations, extending its Ampang line further into the densely-populated Puchong township that currently terminates at Kinrara BK5.

Its president and chief executive Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz said some 130,000 passengers are expected to benefit from these new stations when they open on March 31.

"We are hoping to see an increase of 30 per cent from the current passenger ridership," he said during a media briefing at the new IOI Puchong Jaya station.

Other stations that will begin running this Thursday are Pusat Bandar Puchong, Taman Perindustrian Puchong and Bandar Puteri.

Azmi said the previous four stations — Awan Besar, Muhibbah, Alam Sutera and Kinrara BK5 — that were opened last October 31 have since received an overwhelming response in view of the high population at the areas.

He said the remaining three stations of the Ampang line, namely Puchong Perdana, Puchong Prima and Putra Heights are expected to open in June.

"These stations are currently in the final phase of construction works and undergoing some touch up before they start operation," Azmi said.

The completed extension of the Ampang line begins from the Sri Petaling station and passes through Kinrara, Puchong and ends at Putra Heights.

The extension is 18.1km long with 11 stations.

Also present at the media briefing was Land Public Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Jaafar Albar.