The high-speed Haramain rail route between Makkah and Madinah is projected to transport 60 million passengers per year, Mohammed Abdulhafiz Fida, director general of the project, has told the Saudi Gazette newspaper.
Fida added that the Haramain railway is expected to be launched later this year (previous reports have suggested it will open in September) and will utilise 35 high-speed trains configured to include 417 seats.
The people of Makkah and Madinah regions as well as pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah will be able to enjoy the service this year, he said. An electronic website will be launched ahead of commercial operations, in addition to a special mobile phone app and automatic ticket sales points at stations. Well also establish reservation offices.”
Fida also noted that the project will also include 850 networks for rainwater, floods and sewage. Five stations are being constructed at Makkah, Madinah, Rabigh and King Abdulaziz International Airport and in Jeddah where the station will be capable of handling more than 25,000 passengers per hour. The stations will have lounges for departing and arriving passengers, waiting rooms, shops, restaurants, cafes, car parks and a VIP lounge, in addition to a mosque for 1,000 worshippers, a helipad and a Civil Defence centre, reported the Saudi Gazette.
Once completed the high speed link will reduce the travel time between Makkah and Madinah to two hours and 15 minutes with trains running at a speed of 300 km per hour
