Al-Mashaaer Metro Line, the most notable projects implemented by Saudi Arabia, and is all set for transporting pilgrims this Hajj season

One of the most important initiatives Saudi Arabia has undertaken in the last 15 years to assist pilgrims is the Al-Mashaaer Metro Line at the Holy Sites. Franz Edelman Award for the finest applied and operational research was given to the project.

The project is one of the top 24 international initiatives completed in the last century, according to the International Federation of Engineering Consultants.

The high-speed electric railway, which was introduced in November 2010, is intended to transport pilgrims between the Holy Sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah during the Hajj season each year.

Nine stations are placed along the 18-kilometer railway, with three each in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. The final stop is close to the Jamarat Bridge. The trip from Mina to Arafat takes the train around 20 minutes at an average speed of 80 km/h.

The Holy Sites are served by 17 trains, each of which can carry 3,000 people. The overall capacity is up to 72,000 passengers per hour since seats can accommodate 20% of the entire number of passengers.

The railway made 2,170 journeys carrying 2.3 million people during the Hajj season in 1440 AH. The railway suspended operations during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020–2021, however it resumed operations in 2022, carrying 1.35 million passengers on 2,228 trips.