16000 Buses Ready to Serve 1.33m Hajj Pilgrims

Twenty-three transport companies, under an umbrella of the General Cars Syndicate, have readied 733,000 seats in 16,000 buses to transport 1.33 million Haj pilgrims between Makkah and various holy sites, according to Osama Mulla, general secretary of the syndicate.

Mulla said that the syndicate has made its operating plans for Haj 1437H with well-equipped buses. It includes 1,106 new buses at a cost of SR380 million. They will have all means of safety and comfort, with the best international standards used for this type of transport means. All these facilities will be to provide safe transport facilities for Haj pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Mosque of Madinah.

He said that so far, 18 centers have been readied on the expressways between Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah for help and support in case of any breakdown of buses.

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All these centers are linked electronically with the head office of the syndicate.

He said that there will also be drivers, technicians, buses, workshops and baggage transfer facilities available at these centers to reduce the time in dealing with cases of breakdowns, and prevent accidents on the expressways.

He said that any breakdown on the Madinah-Makkah road will be dealt with within 58 minutes, which includes repairing of the buses, and the same service on the Makkah-Jeddah would require 53 minutes.

Mullah said that there is unified electronic system ready to follow movement of fleets of buses of various companies working under the umbrella of the syndicate during Haj. This electronic system aims to make sure that the movement of the buses is correct and the time of repairing of buses is reduced.

He said that this year after 11 p.m., in view of safety reasons Haj pilgrims would not be sent to and from Madinah.

He said that the work schedule of the drivers would be made so that they are not tired or exhausted in Makkah and Madinah, to avoid any kind of accidents. If any driver would be found to be tired or exhausted, he would be replaced by another driver, who be made available for such requirements at all these centers.