The Makkah Public Transport Program is a comprehensive public transport design and built project that includes a Metro, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Express Bus, Feeder Bus and all the associated infrastructure and Intelligent Transport Systems. It was a visionary concept launched in order to transform the transport capabilities of this revered city, particularly given its importance to worshippers both in Saudi Arabia and around the world. As well as providing a new framework to seamlessly manage and coordinate the growing numbers of annual pilgrims, the Makkah Public Transport Program is a testament to the evolution of this internationally recognised destination and the worldwide interest in investment into this burgeoning powerhouse.
The Makkah Public Transport Project
A major part of the Makkah Public Transport Project is the development of its comprehensive bus network. The new system, designed to serve both residents and pilgrims, will feature more than 400 buses once it is up and running fully. The buses will break down into 240 regular buses with 85 seats each and 160 larger buses with 125 seat capacities. To reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to innovation and progress, the buses will have wifi services, an AV system for trip information, hydraulic access for people of determination, collision avoidance software, surveillance cameras and environment protection systems which reduce Euro-4 carbon emissions. The completion of the bus network will have two phases, one with 12 lines and 83 stops and the second phase of 5 ‘express’ lines with 342 stops that stretches over 172km. The buses will operate for an average of 22 hours per day, enabling them to handle the immense transportation needs of Makkah’s population growth and the annual increase of visitors to the Grand Holy Mosque and holy sites of Makkah. The project will also include the ‘construction of a bus accommodation station, which includes control building, driver’s management building, gas station, light maintenance workshop, bus washing and maintenance station, heavy maintenance workshop, bus stops, drivers housing facilities’. The metro will begin with an 11km long Green Line that will have seven stations, linking Al Mashaar train station in Mina with Marwa station, just north of the Grand Mosque, before being extended to the Haramain High Speed Rail Station.
Local and Regional Impact
One of the key elements that has made reactions to the Makkah Public Transport Program so enthusiastic is its positive impact for the community and surrounding region. The new transport systems will provide easy access to key educational institutions, health facilities, commercial outlets and recreational areas as well as contributing to reducing pollution and protecting the environment by reducing dependence on driving. It will also help to fuel support for economic development in Makkah and act as a helping hand for the global visitors to the Grand Holy Mosque during the most important times in their lives.
If you would like to find out more about the Makkah Public Transport Program, Mecca investment opportunities, KSA mega projects, luxury property in Saudi Arabia or other real estate investment opportunities, get in touch with one of our consultants at Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty today.