JEDDAH, 12 August 2004 — Plans are under way to establish an elevated electric train project in Madinah to facilitate mass transit of pilgrims and visitors between the Prophet’s Mosque, the Quba Mosque and the Shuhada area. The project, designed to transport 20,000 passengers an hour, will be ready by 2007.
Ayman Hassoun, manager of the project, said the train will move on a seven-meter-high bridge. Beginning from Quba, the 10-km bridge will pass by the Prophet’s Mosque and Al-Saif Commercial Center before terminating at Shuhada, Okaz daily reported.
He said the project will help reduce overcrowding outside the Prophet’s Mosque and the Quba Mosque. Also people staying far from the Prophet’s Mosque can reach the mosque using the train. The project is viable as at least five million Haj and Umrah pilgrims visit Madinah every year.
