By Mohammed Sumaih

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

MAKKAH — The cost of Mashaer train ticket has been increased from SR250 to SR400, according to the Ministry of Haj and Umrah.

The Mashaer metro is a shuttle train operating only during the Haj days between holy sites.

The ministry has informed Haj companies about the increase and asked them to enter the new rate in their computer system.

Mohammed Saad Al-Qurashi, member of the coordination council of Haj and Umrah companies, said the hike was imposed by the company operating the train.

He said a new company was contracted by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to operate the train.

Meanwhile, the ministry has chosen 20 local companies to offer Haj Muyasar (easy pilgrimage) to domestic pilgrims this year at the cost of SR3,465.

The ministry has also selected 57 companies to offer low-cost Haj which will benefit 65,00 domestic pilgrims.

It said pilgrims will be accommodated in licensed buildings in Makkah in rooms having spaces of four square meters per pilgrim while in Arafat they will be accommodated in fire-resistant air-conditioned tents with a space of 1.6 square meter per pilgrim.

The Tawafa Establishment for Arab pilgrims signed contracts with nine contractors to put up tents in Arafat for 380,000 Arab pilgrims.

Ahmed Bin Yahya Ahmed, member of the board of directors of the establishment, said the tents should be fire resistant and heat proof.

In a related development, the Authority to Develop Makkah has provided 25 cars to transport the disabled, sick and old Umrah pilgrims from Jaroul tunnel to the Grand Mosque.

The 1,000-meter-long tunnel is assigned for pedestrians, but there are special tracks for vehicles.