Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line

File:Congestion in Mecca Metro Arafat area.JPG

Before completion, Saudi officials estimated the line would replace 53,000 buses, promising a safer, more comfortable pilgrimage.{{cite magazine |last=Barry |first= Keith |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/09/take-the-monorail-to-mecca/ |title=Take the Monorail to Mecca |magazine=Wired |date=8 September 2009 |access-date=8 May 2014}} By the time of the 2011 Hajj (Hajj 1432) it was able to operate at 100% capacity and is estimated to have carried more than 3.95 million passengers{{cite web|title = Operation during Hajj season 1432H (2011 G)|url = http://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/middle-east-rail/Data/dr-salim-albostapart4.pdf|access-date = 1 April 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222160139/http://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/middle-east-rail/Data/dr-salim-albostapart4.pdf|archive-date = 22 February 2014|url-status = dead|df = mdy-all}} making it, for that period, the most intensively used metro line in the world and among the busiest systems in the world. Each 12-car train carries 3,000 passengers and the headway is 150 seconds (24 trains per hour).The CRCC website says the trains have a capacity of 3,000 passengers (250 cars × 12 car trains) (http://meccametro.com/about-abu-dhabi-metro {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222040/http://meccametro.com/about-abu-dhabi-metro |date=12 May 2014 }}) but the analysis of the 2011 Hajj cites a figure of 3,600 passengers per train (12 × 300) and 30 trains per hour (120 second headway) (http://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/middle-east-rail/Data/dr-salim-albostapart3.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053840/http://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/middle-east-rail/Data/dr-salim-albostapart3.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }}). It is designed to transport 72,000 passengers per hour per direction (pphpd).

In peak periods the line operates with a special "group shuttle" schedule, better known as train movement "D", with three departure stations and three arrival stations. (At each holy site on the line there are three stations.) At off-peak times stopping-all-stations service is run, with various movements "A", "B", "C" and "E". Tickets are 250 riyals, except the last day when they are 100 riyals.[https://themetrorailguy.com/metro-rail-systems/mecca-metro-information-stations-route-map-fare-prices-pass-hours-timings/ Mecca Metro – Information, Route Map, Fare & Timings]

In March 2010, Serco Middle East was awarded a contract by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) to advise on the operation and maintenance of the Makkah Metro. CRCC had been awarded the design, build, operate and maintain contract in 2008 by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.{{cite web |url=http://english.crcc.cn/Page/532/SourceId/1688/InfoID/33179/default.aspx |title=Mecca Metro built by CRCC to be fully operated on Nov. 3 |work=english.crcc.cn/ |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606160816/http://english.crcc.cn/Page/532/SourceId/1688/InfoID/33179/default.aspx |archive-date=6 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.totalrail.org/2012/03/28/serco-case-study-makkah-metro/ |title=#Serco case study – Makkah Metro |publisher=totalrail.org |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606155152/http://www.totalrail.org/2012/03/28/serco-case-study-makkah-metro/ |archive-date=6 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}

In November 2014, Metro project promoter Makkah Mass Rail Transit Co has selected Kuala Lumpur transport agency Prasarana to provide consultancy services during Phase 1 of the Makkah Public Transport Programme. Phase 1 covers the construction of two metro lines totalling 45.1 km and 22 stations, with commissioning scheduled by 2019.{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/middle-east/single-view/view/prasarana-to-operate-makkahs-pilgrim-metro.html|title=Prasarana to operate Makkah's pilgrim metro|publisher=railwaygazette.com|access-date=15 May 2015|archive-date=25 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125121150/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/middle-east/single-view/view/prasarana-to-operate-makkahs-pilgrim-metro.html|url-status=dead}}

During the 2014 Hajj, staff from Prasarana Malaysia and Express Rail Link helped to fulfill CRCC’s staffing requirement to support operations.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/prasarana-wins-makkah-metro-consultancy-contract.html |title= Prasarana wins Makkah metro consultancy contract |work= Railway Gazette International |publisher=railwaygazette.com|access-date=28 November 2014}}

Beginning in 2018, the contract was once again held by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited after three years of operation by Prasarana.{{Cite web |url=https://www.metro-report.com/news/single-view/view/hajj-metro-prepared-for-annual-seven-day-operating-season.html |title=Hajj metro prepared for annual seven-day operating season |access-date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005153612/https://www.metro-report.com/news/single-view/view/hajj-metro-prepared-for-annual-seven-day-operating-season.html |archive-date=5 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}

The line was claimed to be the world's fastest design in the world, at 22 months, 16 months if religious habit is taken into consideration. It was initially operated at 35% capacity with automatic train protection to assist manual driving.

China Railway Construction Corporation Limited was responsible for infrastructure construction and systems integration under the 6.7-billion-riyal phase I contract which was awarded by the Saudi Arabian government in February 2009 following a visit by President Hu Jintao of China.{{cite journal |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//world-rail-market-march-2009.html |title=World rail market March 2009 |journal=Railway Gazette International |date=8 March 2009 |access-date=3 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616034919/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/world-rail-market-march-2009.html |archive-date=16 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}

CRCC carried out construction of the project infrastructure and integrated and subcontracted various systems. The line was built in only 21 months by about 8,000 skilled and unskilled workers and approximately 5,000 engineers.

DBI (Deutsche Bahn International GmbH), a fully owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG and DAR Dar Al Handasah, were awarded with a contract from the Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to become the supervising engineers, responsible for design, construction, railway systems implementation and railway operations.

Several subcontracts were awarded. Al-Muruj Electromechanical Co. was awarded MEP works at all 9 stations. Siemens provided the overhead line catenary system supplied at 1500 V DC. Westinghouse Platform Screen Doors supplied the platforms with screen doors, Siemens power supplies, and WS Atkins is responsible for electrical and mechanical systems and project management. Thales supplied SelTrac Communications-Based Train Control, an operations control centre, CCTV, SCADA and passenger information systems.{{cite journal|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//makkah-metro-contracts-signed.html |title=Makkah metro contracts signed |journal=Railway Gazette International |date=24 June 2009 |access-date=26 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228180304/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/makkah-metro-contracts-signed.html |archive-date=28 February 2010 }} Systra supervised the civil work. Serco provides operations and maintenance consultancy. TÜV Rheinland were the Independent Competent Person (ICP) on the project and provided safety, operations, training, fire and systems assurance consultancy support including the development of System-Wide, O&M Safety Case and HSQE Management Systems. TÜV Rheinland also secured the Operating Licence and Safety Certificate for acceptance by the Saudi Railway Commission (SRC) in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Air conditioning solution was provided by SKM Air Conditioning Equipment Sharjah, UAE.

The line is elevated at a height varying between {{convert|8|m}} and {{convert|10|m}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_337287.html |title=China to build Mecca monorail |newspaper=Straits Times |publisher=AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE |date=12 February 2009 |access-date=27 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331232035/http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_337287.html |archive-date=31 March 2009 }}

Although the current metro uses conventional steel wheel on rail technology, it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a 'monorail' due to the cancellation of a planned project in 2009.

In November 2010 CRCC claimed they had lost 4.15 billion yuan (~US$600 million) on the US$1.77 billion contract due to changes insisted on by the client.{{cite news |author=An Yang |url=http://english.caixin.com/2010-11-17/100199541.html |title=China to Help CRCC Claim Loss on Mecca Metro Project |newspaper=CaixinOnline |date=17 November 2010 |access-date=8 May 2014}} The earthworks alone reportedly increased two-and-a-half times from 2 million cubic metres to 5 million.{{cite news |author=John Garnaut |url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/china-inc-goes-off-the-rails-in-saudi-arabia-while-building-mecca-monorail-20101116-17uvd.html |title=China Inc goes off the rails in Saudi Arabia while building Mecca monorail |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 November 2010 |access-date=8 May 2014}} CRCC was seeking, with Chinese government support, extra compensation from the Saudi Arabian government to help cover the losses.{{update inline|date=March 2022}}

File:CRRC Changchun Type A interior.jpg

On 4 April 2009, CNR Changchun (now CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles) was awarded a contract to supply 17 Type A 12-car metro trainsets. Each set has eight motor and four trailer cars, all with aluminium bodies. A Type A car is 22.3 metres long and 3 metres wide.{{cite news |author=Sharon Lee |url=http://english.rednet.cn/c/2009/05/11/1758916.htm |title=CSR Zhuzhou: A Contract of 150 Metro Vehicles Valued RMB 1.1 Billion |website=Rednet.cn |date=11 May 2009 |access-date=27 February 2010}} Knorr-Bremse supplied the braking systems{{cite journal |url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2009/07/knorr-bremse-in-mecca/|title=Knorr-Bremse in Mecca |journal=Railways Africa |date=3 July 2009 |access-date=27 February 2010}} with modifications to suit sandy conditions. It also features 5 train doors per side.

The first trainset was shipped from China in May 2010 and the last arrived by the end of 2010.{{cite journal |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/hajj-trains-shipped-to-makkah.html |title=Hajj trains shipped to Makkah |journal=Railway Gazette International |date=18 May 2010 |access-date=8 May 2014 |archive-date=23 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523054653/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/hajj-trains-shipped-to-makkah.html |url-status=dead }}

• Saudi Railways Organization (SRO)
• Saudi Railway Company (SAR)
• Transport in Saudi Arabia
• Riyadh Metro

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20161012025754/http://urbanrail.net/as/mecca/makkah.htm UrbanRail.Net – Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line]
• [https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zkLTZZ4cs8z8.k4CLAygJWeSY&hl=en_US Google Maps – Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line rail map]

{{Rail transport in Saudi Arabia}}

{{Rapid transit in Asia}}

Category:Rapid transit in Saudi Arabia

Category:Railway lines opened in 2010