Saudi Arabia expands smart transport network to move millions of Hajj pilgrims efficiently
MINA/MADINAH: Saudi Arabia is strengthening its transportation and mobility operations ahead of the 2026 Hajj season, deploying high-capacity rail, shuttle bus and road-management systems to handle the movement of more than 1.6 million pilgrims expected to gather in and around Makkah, SPA reported.
At the center of the operation is the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro, operated by Saudi Arabia Railways, which is preparing to transport more than two million passengers during the pilgrimage season through what officials describe as one of the world’s highest-capacity transport systems.
The fully electric metro links the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, reducing congestion and travel times during peak pilgrimage periods while supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader sustainability and infrastructure goals under Vision 2030.
The Al-Mashaaer Metro has helped eliminate roughly 50,000 bus trips annually within the holy sites, easing traffic pressure and reducing carbon emissions through reliance on electric-powered transit. (SPA)
