Authorities in Makkah announced Thursday that they will end the Saudi Public Transport Company's 30-year exclusive right to transport Umrah pilgrims, Al-Watan Arabic daily reported. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Hamzi, Director of Makkah Police, said the move to add other companies to provide the service is aimed at expanding the use of shuttle-bus transportation this year and, during Ramadan, expediting the transport of worshippers from parking lots to the Haram. “The new companies, including SAPTCO, will be transporting people from outside the Central Zone to the Grand Mosque, specifically from the parking of Mahbas Aljin and those around Aljamarat Bridge and King Abdul Aziz tunnels,” he said. Pilgrims will also be transported from Assouq Assageer tunnels and Umm Al-Qura Street's eastern route that connects the Makkah-Jeddah Road to the Grand Mosque, he added. Banning small cars from entering tunnels will result in smooth traffic and eased access to the Grand Mosque, General Al
