Ahmad bin Abdullah Sembawa, deputy chairman of the General Syndicate for Cars, has said that more than 600 old buses used to transport pilgrims will be taken off the roads next year.  

“These vehicles will operate this Haj season only and companies in violation will be subject to penalties,” he said.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has issued orders prohibiting the sale of old buses.

Bandar Hajjar, minister of Haj, notified the syndicate of the committee’s recommendations in line with a royal decree.

Meanwhile, Marwan Rashad Zubaidi, secretary-general and spokesman of the syndicate, said that drivers of pilgrim buses will not be allowed to perform Haj so that they can serve pilgrims.

“Around 5,000 drivers attended a training and awareness course held recently,” said Zubaidi.

The course included unveiling a traffic plan inside Makkah and the holy sites and specifying the hours during which the central area around the Grand Mosque is off limits to buses.

“There are strict rules forbidding alcohol or drugs. Drivers in violation of this rule will be deported to their countries within 48 hours,” he said.