Saudi Gazette report
MAKKAH — The Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites has revealed the draft regulations governing Hajj transportation activities.

According to the regulations, anyone who violates the provisions of these regulations will be subject to one or more of the following penalties: a fine of no less than SR150 and no more than SR100,000; disqualification from participating in the Hajj operation for at least one season and not exceeding three seasons; and permanent revocation of the permit for operation of Hajj service depending on the severity of the violation.

The regulations stipulate that service providers may not operate Hajj transportation services within the geographical area without obtaining a permit issued by the guiding center for the transportation of pilgrims. Service providers must submit an application expressing their desire to participate in Hajj transportation, including the number of buses and the requirements specified by the center to demonstrate readiness to participate.

These applications will be accepted starting on the first of Jumada al-Thani each year and will remain open for 60 days. The application must be submitted electronically to the entity designated by the center.

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

The regulations further stipulate that service providers are obligated to provide an alternative means of transportation immediately upon the breakdown of the vehicle used 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 center, and the service provider shall bear the related expenses.

It is also stipulated that the service provider is obligated to provide a sufficient number of qualified technicians to maintain the buses, ensuring their efficient operation throughout the Hajj transportation season, in accordance with the requirements set by the center.