Record achievement: Haramain High-Speed Railway transports 700,000 passengers during Ramadan
A record achievement for the Haramain High-Speed Railway during Ramadan
In a move reflecting the efficiency of the transportation infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Public Transport Authority announced an exceptional achievement during the holy month of Ramadan. The Haramain High-Speed Railway transported over 700,000 passengers, including visitors, pilgrims, and worshippers, from the beginning of Ramadan until the 20th day. The Authority explained that this record was achieved through the operation of more than 2,300 scheduled trips, confirming the high level of preparedness and superior operational capacity to meet the increased demand during peak seasons.
Historical context and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The Haramain High-Speed Railway, officially launched in 2018, is one of the largest public transportation projects in the Middle East. This strategic project is an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims and facilitate their travel between the two holy cities. The project was designed to accommodate the increasing numbers of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, with the goal of hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to providing the best possible services to Muslims from around the world.
World-class specifications and a unique travel experience
The Haramain High-Speed Railway boasts advanced technical and engineering specifications that place it among the world's best trains. Operating on a 453-kilometer-long, double-track electrified railway, it connects five major hub stations: Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City. With an operational speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour, the train ranks among the top 10 fastest in the world, significantly reducing travel time and providing passengers with fast and safe transportation options around the clock.
Local, regional and international impact
The Haramain High-Speed Railway's importance extends far beyond simply transporting passengers; it has a wide range of positive impacts. Locally, the railway effectively alleviates traffic congestion on the highways between Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah, reducing traffic accidents and improving traffic flow. It also plays a vital environmental role by reducing carbon emissions from the use of thousands of buses and cars, thus supporting the Kingdom's efforts to protect the environment and ensure resource sustainability.
On both regional and international levels, the successful operation of this massive project reinforces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in crowd management and smart infrastructure development. Providing such efficient and rapid transportation leaves a profoundly positive impression on the millions of Muslims who visit the Kingdom annually to perform Hajj and Umrah, underscoring the Kingdom's ability to harness the latest global technologies to serve Islam and Muslims, facilitating their spiritual journey with ease and peace of mind.
