MAKKAH: The free trial phase of the Makkah Bus Project, which included the recently launched routes (6, 7A, 12 and 7), has been a success — recording 100,000 users since the start of the first trips on Feb. 15.
The project’s team worked from the Unified Center for Transport in Makkah to conduct technical tests and match them with the high standards of the program’s requirements. This has resulted in a success that met the project’s aims, while the service has been appreciated by Makkah’s residents and visitors.
More than 40 buses were made operational on the lanes every day, while an additional 40 buses were put on standby in case of a larger number of users, especially during rush hour.
The operational hours of the trips exceeded 22 hours, with the first bus leaving at 4 a.m. every day. The last trip of the day takes place at 2 a.m. The operating team consists of 500 employees, including drivers, operational staff, mechanics and a support team.
Work is also underway to launch the rest of the routes during the next phase of the project, which will introduce new destinations in Makkah over the next two months to reach several educational, health and commercial facilities.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites is supervising the plan to complete the Makkah Bus Project and all of its routes. The project, set to be completed in 2022, is one of the initiatives of the Doyof Al-Rahman Program, one of Saudi Vision 2030’s executive programs.
The commission aspires to increase the efficiency and capacity of the transportation network, achieve financial and environmental sustainability, ensure a smooth experience for all users of the transportation network and establish a distinguished governance system by defining the roles and responsibilities of all of the entities operating within the sector.
