MAKKAH: Hundreds of thousands of Hajj pilgrims used the Mashaer metro system to travel from Mina to Arafat on Saturday, as they began the most important day of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Mashaer metro system comprises nine stations strategically positioned across the holy sites, interconnected by an 18-kilometer double-track railway. Capable of accommodating 72,000 passengers per hour in one direction, the metro efficiently transports pilgrims between Mina and Arafat in just 20 minutes, with trains traveling at speeds of up to 80 km per hour, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The fleet includes 17 eco-friendly electric trains, each capable of carrying 3,000 passengers. This system significantly reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions during the Hajj season, replacing approximately 50,000 passenger buses.
Managed by the Facilities Security Forces under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior, the Mashaer metro plays a crucial role in enhancing the pilgrimage experience by providing swift and comfortable transportation between key pilgrimage sites.
Reflecting on his second Hajj pilgrimage, Egyptian pilgrim Khalil Hasan expressed astonishment at the advancements since his first journey nearly 30 years ago. “Everything here has unbelievably changed, including the Jamarat Bridge,” Hasan remarked. He praised the Mashaer metro as a remarkable addition that enhances the pilgrimage experience, describing the sight of trains swiftly traversing between stations in the holy sites as a scene of grandeur.
Accompanying Hasan on his spiritual journey, AbdulTawab, experiencing Hajj for the first time, lauded the metro system’s convenience and efficiency. “It is wonderful, and I am grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this metro that has facilitated the movement of pilgrims, especially the elderly,” AbdulTawab expressed.
“It is wonderful, and I am grateful to the Kingdom for this metro that has facilitated the movement of pilgrims, especially the elderly, making it easy and comfortable to move from one place to another within the holy places,” he said.
The metro’s accessibility has made it easy for pilgrims to navigate between holy sites, ensuring a comfortable journey for all.
