Saudi Gazette MINA — The Mashaer train has transported about 62,000 pilgrims to Arafat from Mina station No. 3, which has five gates and two ramps. Commander of the station Lt. Col. Ali Al-Shiban said the ramp on the southern side is dedicated to passengers boarding the train while the one on the northern side is for disembarking. He expected the station to be crowded during the Tashriq days (Dhul Hijja 11-13) and extremely busy on the Eid day (Monday) when pilgrims arrive from Muzdalifah to throw the stones at the Satan in Mina. "The forces are ready and prepared to carry out the duties assigned to them to enable the pilgrims arrive safely at their destinations," he added. Shiban said the number of pilgrims which the station would serve during the three Tashriq days would be more than 100,000. "We have conducted a number of drills on the safe and quick evacuation of passengers from the station in times of emergency to prevent any stampede," he said. Shiban said comprehensive coordination was made with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah and other departments to transport the passengers from Mina to Arafat and back. He said special golf carts were pressed into service to take special needs pilgrims to the train from the southern ramp. "We have three lifts on the northern ramp of the station to transport them easily and safely. We have special doors at the station for them," he said. There are nine stations for the Mashaer train in the Holy Sites three each in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The train will transport more than 311,000 domestic pilgrims as well as those from GCC countries, Turkey and South Asia. The price of ticket for the train trips during the entire Haj days is SR250.
