MAKKAH: Saudi Railways, through the Al-Mashaer Train and the Haramain High-Speed Railway, continues to execute comprehensive transportation plans to facilitate pilgrims during the Hajj season.
The advanced rail systems aim to ensure smooth passenger flow and high operational efficiency throughout the pilgrimage, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.
The Al-Mashaer Train is set to transport over two million pilgrims between the holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat during the Hajj season. Seventeen fully equipped trains will operate along an 18-kilometre route, connecting nine key stations across the sacred areas.
With a capacity to carry 72,000 passengers per hour in each direction and operating at a speed of 80 km/h, the journey between Mina and Arafat will take approximately 20 minutes. More than 2,000 trips are scheduled for the season, managed by a workforce of over 7,500 trained Saudi staff.
Meanwhile, the Haramain High-Speed Railway will operate approximately 4,700 trips, offering over two million seats, an increase of more than 400,000 seats from the previous season.
Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting committee on Tuesday announced that the Dhul Hajj moon was sighted, and Eid ul Adha will be observed on June 6, 2025. The Day of Arafat will be observed on June 5.
While the exact number of pilgrims for Hajj 2025 is yet to be confirmed, early projections indicate it could be a record-breaking year, with more than 2.5 million pilgrims expected to participate.
