16 July 2011
MAKKAH: Authorities in Makkah are considering an end to the 30-year-old monopoly by the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) on transporting pilgrims from the car parks in Makkah to the Grand Mosque, local Arabic daily Al-Watan reported Friday quoting director of police in the holy city Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Hamzi.
MAKKAH: Authorities in Makkah are considering an end to the 30-year-old monopoly by the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) on transporting pilgrims from the car parks in Makkah to the Grand Mosque, local Arabic daily Al-Watan reported Friday quoting director of police in the holy city Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Hamzi.
SAPTCO is the sole transporter of pilgrims through the tunnels of Mahbas Al-Jinn and Kudai.
"Due to the expansion of shuttle transport this year, arrangements were made to contract a number of other transport companies to take pilgrims and visitors from the car parks to the Haram," Al-Hamzi said.
He said the new transport companies will take the pilgrims from the parks of Mahbas Al-Jinn and the Jamarat Bridge through King Abdul Aziz Tunnel where small cars will be stopped.
The police chief said he expected the move to help ease traffic congestion in the city.
© Arab News 2011
