THE Haramain high-speed service between Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia carried 1.09 million passengers during the holy month of Ramadan, a 17% increase on 2023 and a new record for the service.
Between March 11 and April 13, 3163 trains, or 93 daily services, were operated. This is an increase of 41% compared with the usual offer, with the trains operating at a 97.4% punctuality rate.
More than 851,250 passengers used the Haramain service in March, another monthly record.
Overnight services were operated to meet the need of pilgrims after Iftar (the daily breaking of fast), while the first daily train departure was at 03.00.
The railway carried 6.97 million passengers in 2023, the highest number since the line opened in 2018, and an increase of 90% compared the 3.67 million passengers that used the service in 2022, the first full year following the Covid pandemic.
The 453km Haramain high-speed line connects the holy cities of Mecca and Medina via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City, with a short branch serving King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, the principal point of entry for pilgrims. Spanish national operator Renfe is the lead partner in the consortium operating the line.
