The Haramain High-Speed Railway transports 670,000 passengers during the Hajj season
has The Haramain High-Speed Railway achieved an exceptional milestone since announcing its operational plan for the 1447 AH Hajj season, successfully transporting over 670,000 passengers across more than 2,900 trips. These record-breaking figures coincide with the surge in pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, reflecting the project's early preparedness and high capacity to meet the growing demand. This success is a result of the seamless integration with various systems and entities involved in serving pilgrims.
Roots and development of the Haramain Railway Project
The railway project in Saudi Arabia represents a quantum leap in the history of infrastructure serving pilgrims. Historically, the journey between Mecca and Medina took many days via camel caravans, later evolving to just a few hours using buses and cars. With the increasing number of Muslims wishing to perform the rituals year after year, the urgent need for a radical and sustainable solution became apparent. Thus, this massive project, one of the largest transportation projects in the Middle East, was launched, reducing the travel time between the two holy cities to approximately two hours. The project was officially inaugurated, embodying the Kingdom's vision of harnessing the latest global technologies to serve visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and facilitate their spiritual journey with ease and peace of mind.
A massive operational plan to facilitate the movement of pilgrims
Earlier, Saudi Railways (SAR) announced its exceptional operational plan for the Hajj season, which includes providing more than 2.21 million seats across 5,308 trips throughout the season. During peak times, the number of daily trips reaches more than 142, directly contributing to the smooth flow of pilgrims. The train will continue its tireless work in the coming days, maintaining the highest levels of readiness to accommodate the expected millions of pilgrims, while adhering to the highest international safety and security standards.
Strategic dimensions and impact of the Haramain High-Speed Railway
not The Haramain High-Speed Railway only a modern transportation system, but its impact extends to significant local, regional, and international dimensions. Locally, the project alleviates traffic congestion on highways between Mecca, Jeddah, and Medina, and reduces carbon emissions, thus supporting the Kingdom's efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainability. Regionally and internationally, the project enhances the Kingdom's position as a leader in managing millions of pilgrims and providing advanced logistical services befitting its Islamic stature. Providing a comfortable and safe travel experience for pilgrims from around the world reflects the bright image of the Kingdom's civilizational development within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.
Global specifications for a safe and comfortable journey
This project is considered one of the fastest electric trains in the world, connecting Mecca and Medina via a 453-kilometer double-track line. The route passes through strategic stations including Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport (the main air gateway for pilgrims), and King Abdullah Economic City. With operating speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, the fleet of 35 trains, each with a capacity of 417 seats, offers a unique travel experience combining luxury, speed, and safety, ensuring pilgrims can focus on performing their religious rites in complete comfort.
