'Haram Cabs' to be launched to serve Makkah pilgrims, visitors

These taxis will operate in the central area of the Haram in Makkah.

Saudi Arabia's Public Transport Authority (PTA) announced dedicated taxis will be launched to serve Umrah pilgrims, worshippers and visitors to the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
According to the chairman of PTA, Rumaih Al-Rumaih, the dedicated taxi service termed as 'Haram Cabs' will be launched in six months. 
These taxis will operate in the central area of the Haram in Makkah and will have screens flashing signs in all major languages to help Haj and Umrah pilgrims, Al-Rumaih said, on the sidelines of the Makkah Economic Forum. Hence, ordinary taxis will be barred from entering the central area.
An investor will be able to own 200 Haram Cabs and will need a license to operate. Al-Rumaih added a major public transport project will be carried out in Jeddah with the partnership between the public and private sectors, according to the report in Saudi Gazatte.
Al-Rumaih spoke about investment opportunities in Haramain Train stations that will accommodate 120,000 passengers per hour, arriving and departing from the stations via 10 platforms. An alternative service will be launched in Riyadh and Jeddah, with six lanes in Jeddah with 76 buses; and six lanes in Riyadh with 131 buses.

• Saudi Arabia