Mecca Metro
The Mecca Metro or Makkah Metro is a planned four-line metro system for the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation[3] and run by Mecca Mass Rail Transit Company (MMRTC). The metro forms part of the 62-billion-riyal Mecca Public Transport Programme (MPTP), which will include integrated bus services.[1][4][5]
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Overview | |
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Native name | قطارات مكة للنقل العام |
Locale | Mecca |
Transit type | Rapid transit |
Number of lines | 1 – Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line (shuttle train for Hajj pilgrims) 3 (projected)[1][2] |
Number of stations | Line S – 9 Line A B C D – 81 (projected)[2] |
Operation | |
Began operation | Nov 2010 (MMMSL – open during Hajj season only) |
Technical | |
System length | 188 km (117 mi) (projected)[2] |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
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The four new metro lines will be in addition to[5] the existing Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line: 18.1 km, connecting Mecca, Arafat, Muzdalifa and Mina opened in November 2010 which only operates during the Hajj.[6][7]
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.[8] The announcement of government financing said that the expansion would take 10 years. Invitations for tenders were due to be issued in January 2013.[9]
Four new lines are to be built.[10] Work had been expected to commence construction in 2015:[1]
- Line A : will connect Mecca to large multilevel parking facilities from the west to the south.
- Line B : is a straight link between Mina and Mecca.
- Line C : will connect Mina to the west side of Mecca through a big loop to the north.
- Line D : circles Mecca with a straight extension to the north. [7]
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.[4]
However, as of February 2017, construction contracts had still not yet been awarded.[11] As of June 2017 construction contracts are expected to be awarded in 2018.[12]
See also
- Jeddah Metro
- Madinah Metro
- Riyadh Metro
- Haramain High Speed Rail Project
- Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line
References
- "Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Project, Macca Saudi Arabia". raillynews.com. 2013-10-25. Archived from the original on 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2015-06-15.
- "Makkah to have four metro lines, 88 stations - Phase one of 188-km metro network to begin work in 2016". Gulf News. 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
- "As China Woos Overseas Business, State-Owned Firms Take a Hit". Time. 2010-11-28. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
- "Prasarana wins Makkah metro consultancy contract". Railway Gazette International. 2014-11-28.
- "Jeddah and Makkah metro plans approved". Railway Gazette International. 2012-08-17.
- "Hajj pilgrims take the metro to Makkah". Railway Gazette International. 2010-11-15.
- "Mecca Metro" (PDF). SYSTRA. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
- "Saudi Cabinet Approves $16.5 Billion Mecca Metro System". Bloomberg News. 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
- "Makkah Metro tender to be issued in January". Saudi Gazette. 2012-10-25. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07.
- "Makkah metro expansion plan". Railway Gazette International. 2011-08-11.
- Paul, Katie (2017-02-21). Potter, Mark (ed.). "Bechtel wins contract to run Saudi project management office". Reuters. Retrieved 2017-09-19.
- Abdel-Razzaq, Jumana. "Official: Tender for Makkah Metro may be awarded in 2018". www.constructionweekonline.com. Retrieved 2018-03-10.