Saudi expands transport, digital infrastructure for smooth haj season

New Straits Times

3 days ago

MAKKAH: The Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services is set to deploy additional public transport vehicles to ensure seamless operations during the haj season, particularly at key masyair sites where pilgrim movement peaks.
Official spokesman for haj operations Saleh Ibrahim Al-Zuwaid said the measure formed part of an integrated strategy that blended logistics, technology and digital systems to enhance safety, comfort, and efficiency for pilgrims arriving from across the globe.
"Our teams are working tirelessly to deliver high-quality services to all pilgrims," he said during a press conference yesterday.
"We urge everyone to strictly adhere to official guidelines and instructions issued by the authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all throughout the haj journey."
Earlier, Saudi Arabia prohibited pilgrims from walking between Makkah and Arafah due to soaring temperatures, which are forecast to reach between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/06/1224658/malaysians-without-pe...
In response, the ministry is reassessing the number of vehicles — particularly buses — required to transport pilgrims safely to Arafah.
The Kingdom has announced extensive preparations to accommodate the expected arrival of nearly two million pilgrims for the 2025 haj season.
Tens of thousands of transport vehicles have been mobilised, with intensified operations across air, land, sea and rail networks.
More than 25,000 buses and 9,000 taxis have been allocated under the national transport plan to ensure smooth pilgrim movement.
As part of efforts to ease congestion, the Haramain High-Speed Railway will operate 4,700 trips throughout the haj season, with a capacity to carry up to two million passengers — an increase of 400,000 seats from last year.
In addition, the "Haj Without Luggage" initiative is now being implemented for pilgrims arriving at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Under the scheme, pilgrims travel directly to Makkah via train, while their luggage is transported separately to their accommodation through a dedicated logistics system.
"Separating passenger and luggage movement enables faster processing at arrival points and ensures pilgrims can focus on their worship with minimal disruption," said Al-Zuwaid.
Authorities also confirmed the full deployment of the second phase of the haj operations plan, supported by a dedicated technical team. Operations will be further intensified during the Aidiladha period, traditionally among the busiest times of the haj.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the Haj Season Communications and Technology Ecosystem, Saad Saleem Al-Shanbari said there was a significant upgrade in digital infrastructure across the holy sites, with both 4G and 5G coverage in Makkah, Madinah and surrounding areas.
"Internet speeds have reached 264Mbps in Makkah and 336Mbps in Madinah, allowing pilgrims to stay connected with ease," he said.
"Digital infrastructure plays a vital role in enhancing the haj experience — from navigation and communication to real-time information access."
As part of ongoing innovation, the government has trialled several new technologies, including AI-powered crowd management systems, advanced surveillance cameras, and secure communications tools developed in collaboration with security agencies.
According to the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), of the 29 new technologies introduced this year, 13 had already been successfully implemented in previous haj seasons.
These include systems for managing healthcare services and tracking pilgrim movement.