Saudi Arabia to expand smart transportation system for smooth travel of pilgrims

Saudi Arabia is further strengthening its transportation system ahead of the Hajj. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) told Arab News that the country is preparing to use high-capacity rail, shuttle buses and road management technology to facilitate the movement of more than 1.6 million pilgrims who will gather in Mecca and its surrounding areas.
At the heart of this massive operation is the Al-Masha’er Al-Muqaddasah Metro, operated by Saudi Arabian Railways. Authorities said that the metro is ready to carry more than 2 million passengers during the Hajj season and is one of the highest-capacity transportation systems in the world.
The fully electric metro network connects the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. As a result, traffic congestion and travel times during the busy Hajj period are reduced. At the same time, it is also in line with the goals of sustainable development and infrastructure expansion under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The 18-kilometer-long railway has a total of nine stations. It has a capacity to transport about 72,000 passengers per hour. Each of the 17 trains in the fleet can carry about 3,000 passengers.
SPA said that the launch of the metro has reduced the number of bus trips to the holy sites by about 50,000 a year. This has reduced traffic congestion as well as carbon emissions due to electric transport. The metro, which opened in 2010, can travel at a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Mina from Arafat.
Earlier, the General Authority of Roads reported that more than 75,000 vehicles entered Mecca using the main highway on the fifth day of the month of Zilhaj, as the arrival of pilgrims continues to increase rapidly. The highest traffic was on Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road, where more than 22,000 vehicles entered. This is followed by the Taif-Makkah Road via Al-Sail Al-Kabir and Al-Lays Road. The authorities also said that they are conducting 24-hour field operations and logistical supervision at the entrances and main roads to maintain normal traffic flow and ensure the safety of pilgrims. Meanwhile, the ‘Madinah Bus’ project in Medina has announced the launch of special shuttle services to the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque on the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha prayers. The shuttle service aims to reduce traffic congestion and ensure easy travel for worshippers and visitors without disrupting the city’s regular public transport system. The routes from the main stations to the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque will remain open from the Day of Arafah until the first day of Eid al-Adha. Ahead of one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, Saudi authorities have stepped up transport, security and crowd management preparations despite intense heatwaves.