MAKKAH — A number of young men in Makkah are using motorbikes to transport pilgrims from the holy sites to Makkah and vice versa. The motorbikes, commonly known in Makkah as the flying taxis, can easily go through the waves of human beings and the car-congested streets but they remain a dangerous means of transport. Musa Faisal, a young Saudi, said the Haj represents to them a high season during which they can make extra bucks. "The pilgrims prefer to ride with us because we take them quickly to their destinations as we will not be hampered by traffic bottlenecks or congestions," he said. He complained that the traffic police always chased them and confiscated their motorbikes and imposed fines on them. Faisal said the young Makkawis teach each other the techniques of driving the motorbikes to gain extra money during the Haj and Umrah seasons. He said they charge a single pilgrim between SR200 and SR300 depending on the distance. "The price for the same distance could go up to SR500 during peak hours," he said. Col. Mohammed Al-Bassami of the Makkah traffic police warned against using motorbikes to transport pilgrims and said this was a violation which was punishable by law. "Whoever transports pilgrims on motorbikes will be punished according to the system," he said. Director of Makkah traffic Col. Solaiman Al-Jumaie warned against using the motorbikes as a means of transport during Haj and said about 630 motorbikes have so far been impounded.
