MINA/MADINAH( WNAM MONITORING): 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 18-kilometer rail line includes nine stations spread across the holy sites and can transport around 72,000 passengers per hour. The fleet comprises 17 trains, each capable of carrying up to 3,000 passengers.
SPA reported that the system 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.
The metro, which entered service in 2010, can travel at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, with trips between Arafat and Mina taking about 20 minutes.
Highway network traffic volume
Earlier, the Roads General Authority said more than 75,000 vehicles entered Makkah through major highway networks on the fifth day of Dhu Al-Hijjah as pilgrim arrivals accelerated.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road recorded the highest traffic volume with more than 22,000 vehicles, followed by the Taif-Makkah Road via Al-Sail Al-Kabeer and Al-Laith Road.
The authority said it continues around-the-clock field operations and logistics monitoring across entry points and major arteries to maintain smooth traffic flow and ensure pilgrim safety.
‘Madinah Bus’ shuttle service
In Madinah, the Madinah Bus project announced special shuttle services to the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque during the Day of Arafah and Eid Al-Adha prayers.
The shuttle operations are intended to ease congestion and facilitate the movement of worshippers and visitors without disrupting the city’s regular public transport schedule.
Routes connecting key stations to the Prophet’s Mosque and Quba Mosque will operate through the Day of Arafah and continue into the first day of Eid Al-Adha.
Saudi authorities have intensified preparations across transport, safety and crowd-management sectors as the Kingdom prepares for one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings under challenging summer conditions.
