Makkah Bus- A Great Saudi Project to Serve Pilgrims

To facilitate the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims coming from all around the world and to pursue its Vision 2030, the Saudi Government launched the Makkah bus. It stands as a monumental initiative that aims at enhancing transportation structure in the Holy City. With a fleet of about 400 buses and more than 800 professional drivers, Makkah bus ensures a seamless flow of people through its 438 stations located across the city. If you are planning to visit Makkah and wondering how to get around, we are going to give you an unbiased overview of this excellent Makkah bus project.

Official Launch of Makkah Bus Service

The trial period for Mecca Bus was started back in February 2022 by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. Here, it is pertinent to mention that more than 100 million people, including pilgrims, benefitted from this project free of cost. The trial period of Makkah Bus Service ended on October 31, 2023. On November 1, the General Transportation Center, working under the RCMC, officially announced the launch of this grand project.

RCMC has launched integrated services of Makka Bus along three routes in this phase. The operational Makkah Bus Routes connect major areas surrounding the Holy Mosque with several important sites in Makkah. The service connects Ash Shuhada, Al Kakiyyah, and Al Ju’rana with the Holy Mosque. Thousands of pilgrims travel between these routes daily.

Features of the Makkah Bus Project

Makka Bus offers several features that revolutionize the traveling experience of the pilgrims in the Holy City. Some of its features are:

Modern Fleet

One of the most striking features of Makkah Bus Service is the modern fleet of buses that are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. These buses have a seating capacity of 85 passengers for regular and 125 seats in articulated buses. Mecca Buses are designed to provide comfort and safety to its passengers during their journeys. These buses are equipped with fire systems, first aid, protection systems, surveillance cameras, collision avoidance systems, e-information screens, and hydraulic systems. The hydraulic system helps to assist passengers with disabilities.

Integrated With Modern Technology

Another feature of Makkah Bus Service is the integration of its buses with modern technology. You can see the use of advanced technology in its ticketing and tracking system. Passengers can access real-time information about bus routes, schedules, arrivals, and departures, enhancing the overall efficiency of this project. Moreover, the General Transportation Center has launched a smart mobile application for booking tickets, tracking bus positions, knowing bus schedules, and much more.

The smart application is available on the Google Play Store for Android users, while iOS users can download it from the Apple App Store. This use of technology saves a lot of time for the people traveling through this bus service.

Accessibility

Accessibility features in Mecca Buses differentiate this project from other similar projects. The buses and bus stops are designed in such a way that persons with mobility challenges can also easily use this service. The inclusion of the hydraulic system ensures that every disabled person can enjoy riding this service. This inclusivity aligns with the principles of universal design and ensures that transportation is accessible to everyone.

Apart from the above features, Makkah buses have enough room for strollers and wheelchairs. The facility of free WiFi is also available on these buses. Moreover, the audio-visual system in the bus keeps passengers updated about the route and stops.

Makkah Bus Routes

Makka buses ensure the movement of citizens and pilgrims to and from the Holy Mosque. There are two main routes for these buses.

Pilgrimage Routes
Citywide Coverage

1-Pilgrimage Routes

The main purpose behind the launch of this great project is to facilitate more than 35 million pilgrims visiting the Holy Mosque every year. It connects various Meqa’at points to the Holy Mosque. The pilgrims can travel to Meqa’at points of Ayesha Mosque and Jur’ana, wear Ahrams, and return to the Holy Mosque to perform Umrah. Moreover, specialized pilgrimage routes connect key religious sites, making it convenient for worshippers to move between these locations.

2-Citywide Coverage

Beyond pilgrimage routes, Makkah Bus Service also encompasses citywide coverage. It connects the Grand Holy Mosque and its surrounding areas to neighborhoods like Ash Shuhada, Al Kakiyya, and Al-Jur’ana. In short, Makkah Bus Service covers an area of 560 KM with 12 routes. Two bus categories are operating. A standard category with 85 seater buses and an articulated category with 125 seater buses.

Makkah Bus Tickets

After the completion of a successful trial run on October 31, 2023, the Makkah bus is charging SAR 4 for every passenger. Tickets are available through the official website https://makkahtransit.com through the Makka Bus App, and ticketing kiosks spread throughout the city. Group tickets are also available, and special packages will also be announced soon to facilitate more people.

Buying Bus Ticket Through Website

If you are in Makkah and plan to travel around the city through the Mecca bus, you can buy tickets from the official website. The detailed process is as follows:

Go to the website and click on the tickets tab.
Two options will appear on the screen. If you have created your account, you will click “Purchase Ticket on Your Account.” However, anyone can buy tickets anonymously.
As soon as you select the option, it prompts you to enter your email address.
After entering your email, it will ask you whether you want a single-trip ticket or a regular ticket.
Next, you will choose the number of tickets you want to buy
Select the number of tickets and click the “I Buy” button at the bottom left
It will take you to the payments page, where you can pay for the tickets you bought. You can pay through Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Mada.

Buying tickets through the Makkah Bus App

To facilitate the pilgrims and help them buy bus tickets on the go, the General Transportation Center has provided this facility through its mobile application. The step-by-step process is as under:

Download and Install the Makkah Bus App from the Google Play Store if you are an Android user. iOS users can download the app from the Apple App Store.
Open the App and Swipe Up to skip the introduction.
On the next screen, you will be asked to create an account. Individuals with already an account will log on to this page.
If you do not want to create an account, you can swipe up to skip this step too.
Now, there are four different options at the bottom of your mobile screen.
Click on the “Tickets,” and it will once again ask you whether you want to buy a ticket anonymously or through creating your account.
Press the “Buy Ticket” tab, and you will see a prompt asking you to enter your email.
Enter your email and press continue.
You will see two options, regular and express.
Selecting any of the options will take you to the next screen. Here, you will select the number of tickets and press the “Buy” button at the bottom of your mobile screen.
You will land on the payment page where you will see different options for payment.
Select the payment source, press pay, and you are done.

Buying Ticket Through Kiosks

If the above options are not suitable for you, you can buy tickets from the Kiosks spread all through the Holy City. The process is as follows:

Visit any nearest Kiosk service and ask them for a Makkah Bus Ticket.
The agent will ask you about the number of tickets you want to buy.
Tell them the number of tickets, and he will ask for payment.
Pay SAR 4 for every ticket and enjoy this beautiful ride.