Mecca Metro
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Native name | قطار المشاعر المقدسة |
| Locale | Mecca |
| Transit type | Rapid transit |
| Number of lines |
1 – MMMSL (shuttle train for Hajj pilgrims) 3 (projected)[1][2] |
| Number of stations |
9 – MMMSL (open during Hajj season only) 81 (projected)[2] |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | Nov 2010 (MMMSL – open during Hajj season only) |
| Operation will start | 2019 (projected)[1] |
| Technical | |
| System length | 188 km (117 mi) (projected)[2] |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The Mecca Metro or Makkah Metro is a planned four-line metro system for the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia owned by Makkah Mass Rail Transit Company MMRTC). The metro forms part of the 62bn riyal Makkah Public Transport Programme (MPTP), which will include integrated bus services.[1][3][4]
The four new metro lines will be in addition to[4] the existing Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Southern Line (MMMSL): 18.1 km, connecting Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifa and Mina opened in November 2010 which only operates during the Hajj.[5] [6]
Planning
In August 2012 it was announced that the Saudi government had approved US$16.5 billion to build the four metro lines (182-kilometer (113 mi) long) of the system.[7] The announcement of government financing said that the expansion would take 10 years. Invitation for tenders were due to be issued in January 2013.[8]
Four new lines are to be built.[9] Work had been expected to commence construction in 2015:[1]
- Line A : will connect Makkah to large multilevel parking facilities from the west to the south.
- Line B : is a straight link between Mina and Makkah.
- Line C : will connect Mina to the west side of Makkah through a big loop to the north.
- Line D : circles Makkah with a straight extension to the north. [6]
Work on the 188-kilometer (117 mi) long metro network is now expected to commence in 2016.[2]
MMRTC has appointed Prasarana Malaysia to provide consultancy services during Phase 1, which covers the construction of two metro lines totalling 45·1 km and 22 stations by 2019.[3]
See also
- Jeddah Metro
- Madinah Metro
- Riyadh Metro
- Princess Nora University Automated People Mover
- Haramain High Speed Rail Project
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Project, Macca Saudi Arabia". raillynews.com. 25 October 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 "Makkah to have four metro lines, 88 stations - Phase one of 188-km metro network to begin work in 2016". Gulf News. 29 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
- 1 2 "Prasarana wins Makkah metro consultancy contract". Railway Gazette International. 28 November 2014.
- 1 2 "Jeddah and Makkah metro plans approved". Railway Gazette International. 17 August 2012.
- ↑ "Hajj pilgrims take the metro to Makkah". Railway Gazette International. 15 November 2010.
- 1 2 "Mecca Metro" (PDF). SYSTRA. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
- ↑ "Saudi Cabinet Approves $16.5 Billion Mecca Metro System". Bloomberg News. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
- ↑ "Makkah Metro tender to be issued in January". Saudi Gazette. 25 October 2012.
- ↑ "Makkah metro expansion plan". Railway Gazette International. 11 August 2011.
External links
Media related to Mecca Metro at Wikimedia Commons
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