Madinah: The Haramain High-Speed Railway in Madinah is a key component of the transport and logistics system, integrating with various modes of transport and directly linked to King Abdulaziz International Airport to facilitate pilgrims' movement between Makkah and Madinah during the 1447 AH Hajj season, improve traffic flow, and enhance the pilgrim experience from arrival in Saudi Arabia until departure.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Haramain High-Speed Railway station in Madinah is currently handling peak operations as pilgrims arrive in Madinah and other groups depart for Makkah to perform Hajj rituals, amid high traffic volumes to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) official spokesperson Khalid Al-Farhan said the operational plan for the Haramain High-Speed Railway during this year's Hajj season includes more than 5,300 trips and over 2.21 million seats to transport pilgrims between Makkah and Madinah via the main stations in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City.
Al-Farhan added that its operating fleet comprises 35 trains, each with a capacity of up to 417 seats. He noted that the train is among the fastest in the world, reaching speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and reducing travel time between Makkah and Madinah to about two hours and 15 minutes, thereby enhancing travel efficiency between the two holy cities during the season.
He said the number of daily trips will exceed 140 during peak periods, while the Madinah station will see arrivals or departures every 25 to 30 minutes, helping meet high demand and facilitate pilgrims' movement.
This integrated and organized operation of the Haramain High-Speed Railway comes as an extension of the Kingdom's transport and logistics system to facilitate the movement of pilgrims and provide safe, fast, and highly efficient transport options in line with the significant increase in the number of pilgrims during the Hajj season.