As part of intensive preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, the Madinah Bus , overseen by the Madinah Region Development Authority, announced the activation of its shuttle bus service for this year. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at facilitating the movement of worshippers and visitors to and from the Prophet's Mosque and alleviating traffic congestion in the central area and surrounding regions.
Details of new stations and routes
The operational plan explained that the service would be launched through three main strategic stations covering a wide geographical area to serve as many residential neighborhoods as possible:
- The Sports Stadium Station: It is considered a pivotal starting point serving multiple neighborhoods including: Al-Difaa, Tayba, Urwa, Al-Nakheel, Al-Aziziya, Abu Buraiqa, Dhu Al-Halifa, Al-Wabra, Al-Jami’a, Al-Daitha, Al-Salam, Al-Jamawat, and Hama Umm Khalid.
- Shatha Station: It covers the northern and eastern sides and includes the neighborhoods of: Shatha, Al-Nuzha, Al-Dar, Al-Matar, King Fahd, Al-Shafiya, Al-Aridh, Al-Mab’outh, Al-Duwaikhla, Jashm, and A’ira.
- The Garden Station: It serves the southern neighborhoods such as: Al-Ahn, Al-Khatim, Al-Asaba, Al-Qaswa, Al-Jabrah, Shuran, Al-Rawabi, Wadi Mahzur, Wadi Mudhaynib, Al-Hadiqa, Al-Ranuna, and Al-Sadd.
The importance of shuttle transportation in crowd management
The shuttle bus project in Medina is of paramount importance, especially during religious seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj. Historically, the central area has experienced extremely high traffic density, impacting traffic flow and increasing travel time to the Prophet's Mosque. This project offers a radical solution based on the "park and ride" concept, reducing the congestion of private vehicles on the narrow streets surrounding the mosque.
This system contributes to reducing carbon emissions and improving the city's overall environment, in addition to providing a safe, air-conditioned, and comfortable means of transportation for those fasting and performing Umrah, allowing them to devote themselves to worship without the trouble of searching for parking spaces.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The city bus project aligns directly with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to increase capacity and facilitate the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. The project also reflects the commitment of relevant authorities to improving the efficiency of the public transportation system and enhancing the quality of life for Madinah residents and visitors by building smart and sustainable cities based on advanced infrastructure.
Those wishing to benefit from the service can view and download the interactive map of routes to ensure a smooth commuting experience via the official link provided for this purpose.
