Badea Abu Al-Naja Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — A number of motorcyclists expressed disappointment after Makkah security authorities announced a ban on any unlicensed motorcycles entering the holy sites during the Haj period. Many of those who ignored the decision had their motorbikes confiscated while those who feared the government decision transported pilgrims only within the city. Any motorcycle found in the holy sites without a permit was immediately seized. The motorcycle taxi business is very active during the Ramadan and Haj periods. Pilgrims usually prefer to use motorcycles for transportation because it is easy and faster and can get through any traffic jam. Motorcyclists sometimes charge SR50 to SR100 for each fare. Pilgrims are transported from their hotels to the Grand Mosque and back.The profit generated from this business, which is growing in Makkah, is attractive. Usually a car gets stuck in traffic and pilgrims can spend hours before they reach their destination. Motorbikes on the other hand can weave easily through traffic and between cars and reach their destinations in a much shorter time. Many pilgrims interviewed in this report, especially those staying far away from the Grand Mosque, said the main reason they use motorbikes despite the fact they are unsafe is that they can bypass traffic jams. A Saudi Gazette field visit showed many pilgrims preferring to use motorbikes as a means of transportation. There are many motorbikes waiting on the side of the roads searching for customers. Despite a police crackdown on motorbikes transporting pilgrims, bikers have found their own ways of escaping close supervision. They transport pilgrims to their destinations using roads not monitored by the authorities. Saad Habes, a motorcyclist, said many pilgrims find taxis a terrible way of transportation because a lot of time is wasted on the roads. Habes has been in this business for over nine years and is transporting pilgrims on his motorbike. He said: "My income this year dropped sharply because of the ban. “This Haj season I only made SR5,000 from transporting pilgrims inside Makkah. In the years before the ban, it used to be much higher than that. “I work for 20 hours a day during Haj because it is a profitable season and every minute is money. “There is tough competition in this business because we have to be quick to reach the customer before other bikers do. “Of course, this also contributed to a drop in profit." Basheer Ishak said he charges SR20 to SR30 a passenger. He said: "Before the ban I used to earn up to SR9,000 during Haj. “After the ban, my income dropped to SR3,000. “There is a huge risk if I choose to break the law and enter the holy sites. “I cannot afford to lose my bike because it is my main source of income. “In this business we have to be on alert all the time, especially from police. “I usually choose locations that are not monitored by traffic police.” Ali Zaid, who has been working in this business for a long time, decided to take a break this year. He said this Haj he bought five used motorbikes for SR500 each and rented them to other drivers. He said: "I asked each driver to pay me SR100 a day and the additional income goes to them. “After calculating the takings after Haj, I end up making SR7,000 in profit without doing anything.” The head of the Traffic Department in Makkah, Col. Suleiman Al-Jumaie, said his department seized 731 motorbikes that did not have permits to operate in the holy sites.
