Over 2,000 Hajj train trips planned to transport two million pilgrims

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced full operational readiness of the Holy Sites Train to transport pilgrims during the Hajj 1447 AH season, with plans to operate more than 2,000 trips carrying over two million passengers between the holy sites

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced full operational readiness of the Holy Sites Train to transport pilgrims during the Hajj 1447 AH season, with plans to operate more than 2,000 trips carrying over two million passengers between the holy sites.

According to SPA, the train service has officially begun operations as part of Saudi Arabia’s integrated transportation system aimed at ensuring safe, smooth and reliable movement for pilgrims during Hajj.

SAR said preparations were completed in coordination with security and service authorities, including three large-scale simulation exercises designed to test trains, stations and operational systems under conditions similar to the Hajj season.

The report said the Holy Sites Train operates through five different operational movement patterns tailored to pilgrims’ travel between Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat according to the stages of Hajj rituals.

The railway network links nine stations distributed across the holy sites, with the final Mina station directly connected to the fourth floor of the Jamarat Bridge to facilitate smoother crowd movement and improve safety.

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Authorities said the fleet consists of 17 trains, each capable of carrying up to 3,000 passengers, with a collective transport capacity exceeding 72,000 passengers per hour.

SAR added that comprehensive maintenance and technical inspections have been completed for all stations and facilities to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards before the start of Hajj operations.

The train project forms part of broader efforts under Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program to improve crowd management, reduce congestion and enhance pilgrims’ transportation experience inside the holy sites.

The report also noted that SAR had earlier announced its operational plan for the Haramain High Speed Railway during Hajj 1447 AH, which includes more than 5,300 trips and over 2.21 million seats on the 453-kilometer route linking Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.