Saudi Arabia unveils draft Hajj transport rules; fines up to SAR100,000 for violators

Saudi Arabian officials have acted swiftly following the bus accident last month that killed 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims in a horrific crash with a diesel tanker near Madinah.

On Tuesday, the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites unveiled the draft regulations governing Hajj transportation activities, which will impose fines ranging from SAR150 (US$40) to SAR100,000 (US$26,666) on violators.

The violators will also be disqualified from participating in the Hajj operation for a period of one to three seasons. Severe violations can also lead to permanent revocation of the permit for the operation of the Hajj service.

According to the draft regulations, service providers will not be allowed to operate Hajj transportation services without obtaining a permit issued by the guiding centre for the transportation of pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia tightens Hajj transport rules

Service providers must submit an application, which will be accepted from the first of Jumada al-Thani each year and will remain open for 60 days. They will have to specify the details such as the number of buses and the requirements specified by the centre to demonstrate their readiness to participate. The application must be submitted electronically to the centre.

Service providers will also have to provide all necessary data and documents for participating in Hajj transportation and submit them to the centre no later than the 15th of Shawwal each year. The center may extend this period until the end of Shawwal if necessary.

The service providers will have to provide an alternative means of transportation immediately if the vehicle breaks down during operation, within a period not exceeding one hour within cities and their suburbs, and two hours outside of cities.

If the service provider fails to do so, the relevant authority shall provide an alternative means of transportation that meets the terms and specifications approved by the centre, and the service provider shall bear the related expenses.

The regulation also stipulates that the service provider will provide a sufficient number of qualified technicians to maintain the buses.