A 50 percent increase in pilgrim transportation fees was approved in a recent meeting of the Higher Commission for Supervising the Transportation of Pilgrims, but it will not be immediately implemented, said Dr. Fuad Bin Abdulsalam Al-Farsy, Minister of Haj. The minister said officials need some time to study the decision because they are determined to ensure that pilgrims' interests come first. He said 16 companies will operate 19,000 buses to transport pilgrims between the holy cities and between different cities in theKingdom. He added that the plan focuses on ensuring the safety and security of those performing Haj. For the first time, 200 buses will carry out transportation plans in Tawafa establishments that serve pilgrims from Iran, non-Arabic speaking African countries and Arab countries, said Dr. Al-Farsy. He said the Cars General Syndicate will execute plans to work with a traffic-control system that is electronically linked to the Traffic Department and scheduled for implementation later this year. The amount of exhaust fumes should be taken into consideration to prevent pollution, he added. Buses are not approved unless they pass the Motor Vehicle Periodic Inspection and there are continuous testing programs to ensure that the vehicles are safe, he said. Dr. Al-Farsy said the Cars General Syndicate annually announces vacancies for Saudi drivers and the Ministry of Haj makes great efforts to attract people to take up the positions. The minister also said that there is a sufficient amount of Zamzam water, which is provided to pilgrims, and there are no plans to increase the quantity this year. He added that steel tanker trucks have been secured to provide the water and that it is clean. Meanwhile, the Saudi Public Transport Company has 454 luxurious, air-conditioned buses and 803 drivers to serve Umrah pilgrims, worshippers and visitors during the holy month of Ramadan, said Abdullah Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Muqbil, the company's chairman.
