Makkah: Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz reviewed the readiness of the Mashaer Metro Train yesterday to transport pilgrims during the operational phase of ascending pilgrims to Arafat as part of the Hajj 1446 AH season plans.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Prince Abdulaziz received a briefing from Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser. The briefing covered the mechanisms of crowd movement and the train scheduling process, which are executed in coordination with relevant security and organizational entities to ensure smooth operations and the safety of pilgrims.
Prince Abdulaziz boarded one of the train's trips to the Mina 3 (Jamarat) station, where he inspected the station's readiness to receive pilgrims. The station's direct link to the fourth level of the Jamarat Bridge is designed to facilitate smooth and safe movement for pilgrims during the stoning ritual.
The Mashaer Metro Train operates on five flexible movement patterns that align with the different stages of the pilgrimage. It travels at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, supported by a fleet of 17 trains, each capable of transporting 3,000 passengers. This setup allows for a collective capacity of up to 72,000 passengers per hour.
Prince Abdulaziz also inspected the Facilities Security Forces deployed around the outer areas of the train stations to manage pedestrian flow and crowd control. He was briefed on the implementation stages of their operational plans and their support role in assisting the Hajj Security Forces.