The Haramain High-Speed Railway successfully transported 800,000 passengers during the Hajj season
A historic achievement in transporting pilgrims via the Haramain High-Speed Railway
In a move reflecting the significant development of the transportation infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Haramain High-Speed Railway achieved an exceptional milestone by transporting over 800,000 passengers since the start of its operational plan for the 1447 AH Hajj season. This record was achieved through the execution of 3,649 trips to date, according to official statements made by the spokesperson for the Saudi Railways Company (SAR), Mr. Khalid bin Yousef Al-Farhan. These tremendous efforts are part of the Kingdom's ongoing endeavors to facilitate the movement of pilgrims and enhance traffic flow between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, passing through Jeddah.
The historical context of the Haramain High-Speed Railway and Vision 2030
The Haramain High-Speed Railway is one of the largest public transportation projects in the Middle East. Officially launched in 2018, it revolutionized the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage experience. Historically, the journey between Mecca and Medina involved long bus trips, often hampered by severe traffic congestion during peak seasons. With the launch of this vital project, part of Saudi Vision 2030, pilgrims can now travel with ease, convenience, and safety. The project's primary objective is to accommodate the increasing number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually and to provide world-class transportation services befitting the Kingdom's status as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
World-class specifications and exceptional speed to serve pilgrims
Al-Farhan confirmed in his statements that the Haramain High-Speed Railway is classified as one of the fastest electric trains in the world, with an operational speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour. The railway line extends for 453 kilometers and connects five main stations equipped with the latest technologies: Makkah Station, Madinah Station, Jeddah Sulaimaniyah Station, King Abdullah Economic City Station in Rabigh, and King Abdulaziz International Airport Station in Jeddah.
The train covers the total distance between Mecca and Medina in approximately two hours and fifteen minutes. It also represents the ideal and fastest solution for travel between King Abdulaziz International Airport and Mecca, with a journey time of no more than 50 minutes, directly contributing to smoother traffic flow for pilgrims arriving by air and reducing their waiting times.
Local, regional and international impact of the project
The Haramain High-Speed Railway's importance extends far beyond its role as a transportation system; its impact is multifaceted. Domestically, the project has alleviated immense pressure on highway networks, reduced traffic accidents, and lowered carbon emissions, thus supporting environmental sustainability efforts. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's successful management and operation of this vital facility during the Hajj season reinforces its global leadership in crowd management. Providing safe, fast, and comfortable transportation leaves a profoundly positive impression on the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arriving from around the world, reflecting the remarkable progress and development taking place in Saudi Arabia.
An ambitious operational plan for the Hajj season of 1447 AH
Building on these successes, Saudi Railways (SAR) announced details of its comprehensive operational plan for the 1447 AH Hajj season. The plan aims to operate more than 5,300 scheduled and additional trips, providing over 2.2 million seats to serve the pilgrims. These impressive figures underscore the Kingdom's complete readiness and early preparations to ensure the comfort of pilgrims and facilitate their movement between the holy sites with complete peace of mind, enabling them to perform their rituals with ease and convenience in a safe and modern environment.
