Saudi Arabia: Haramain rail service sets record transport

Saudi Arabia: Haramain rail service sets record transport

Inaugurated in 2018, the Haramain train connects the Saudi cities of Mecca and Madina, home to Islam’s two holiest places, via the port city of Jeddah. The 450-km-long service aims to transport about 60 million passengers annually.

The service plans more than 2,700 journeys on the Haramain train providing 1.3 million seating to cope with the increasing demand for moving between Mecca and Medina during Ramadan, which is anticipated to end on April 9.

The lunar month traditionally marks the peak season of Umrah or minor pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque, Islam’s most sacred site, in Mecca.

After performing Umrah, many pilgrims would head to Medina to offer prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque, Islam’s second holiest place, and visit other landmarks in the city.

As part of efforts to ease congestion at the Grand Mosque in the final part of Ramadan, Saudi authorities have urged worshippers to avoid peak times, to use public transport instead of private cars, and shift to other mosques in Mecca to perform prayers.

Saudi Arabia: Haramain rail service sets record transport