Pilgrims face transport rip-off

Ramadan is a time when many Muslims engage in holy deeds and visit Makkah to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. Others, however, take advantage of the holy month to make a quick buck.
Taxi drivers, for instance, increase their fares despite the government facilitating transport for pilgrims. Private vehicles are usually stopped from entering Makkah mid-month during Ramadan, but this year they’ve been stopped from the very beginning.
Buses transport pilgrims to the Grand Mosque from the Shumaisi car park, which is almost 20 km away. Taxis are also available for those who can afford them.
“Buses are available at SR5 per person, but these buses drop passengers far away from the Grand Mosque, which is a problem for the elderly and for people with health conditions. Many, however, cannot afford taking a cab since they charge SR150 knowing that there are no other cars available to take them,” said Tanzeem Hasan.
A taxi ride from Jeddah to Makkah costs SR60 to SR70 on normal days, but the price increases to SR100 during Ramadan and SR150 for larger cars. Arab News spoke to the head of a car service in Makkah about the discrepancy in fares.
“We charge what the ministry stipulates. Before Ramadan began, officials from the Transportation Ministry came and fixed a rate of SR150 for large taxis and SR100 for small cars transporting passengers from the Shumaisi car park to the Grand Mosque.
There is nothing we can do about that,” said Abdulaziz.
Even free wheelchairs provided by the government for children and the elderly are inaccessible.
“I stand for long periods of time requesting a wheelchair for my mother, but officials refuse and tell me to go to the electronic wheelchair office. I’ve been to the office twice but I’m told that electronic wheelchairs are prohibited from being used during “tawaf” (circumambulation of the holy house),” said Saima Naeem.
Arab News found that distributors give out wheelchairs selectively at a cost.
Pilgrims are not allowed inside the office and an Arab News reporter was sent away upon inquiry, later being approached by someone with a standard wheelchair from the same office demanding SR150 in rent.