RCMC launches trial operation of Makkah public bus transport project

Makkah transport buses

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC), through the Unified Transport Center in Makkah, launched today, Feb. 15, the trial operation of the first phase of the public bus transport project in Makkah, on the route linking the Haramain Express train station in the Rusaifa district and Jabal Omar station near the Grand Mosque.

The departure will begin via the VA route that connects the Haramain Express train station in Rusaifa district and Jabal Omar station near the Grand Mosque, in a trial phase that helps to conduct tests on the operating mechanisms to raise the efficiency of the bus network operation and support services, according to the commission's statement.

The project’s 240 standard buses, with a capacity of 85 passengers, and 160 articulated buses with a capacity of 125 people were supplied, which were manufactured according to the highest international specifications.

The bus network in Makkah city is distributed over 12 routes, served by about 425 stops and four main stations in the central region.

The commission also said that it is supervising the trial operation phase and the implementation and completion of the rest of the routes for the Makkah bus project, which will take place in four phases over the coming months, as planned.

The project consists of a contract for the supply, operation and maintenance of 400 buses for a period of eight years and six months, and the establishment of a bus station, which includes control building, driver management building, fuel station, light maintenance workshop, bus washing and maintenance, heavy maintenance workshop, bus stops, and driver accommodation facilities.

The public bus transport network in Makkah covers most of the city's areas, with 400 buses for the first phase, including 240 standard buses (12 meters) and 160 articulated buses (18 meters), all of which are German-made, according to data available to Argaam.