Ibrahim Khudair Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — Several motorcycle owners in the holy city take advantage of the Haj season by taking pilgrims around the city and the holy sites as a means of making some extra income. Known as “the flying taxi”, motorcycles are preferred by many pilgrims due to their ability to maneuver through traffic jams. “The Haj season is one of the most favorite seasons for Makkawis. They dedicate much of their time during this season to make extra money. Motorcycles are just one of the methods being used to supplement incomes,” said Faisal Abdul Rahman, a young Saudi resident of Makkah. However, many residents who earn extra money by transporting pilgrims on their motorcycles are upset after the director of Makkah traffic police, Brig. Mishaal Bin Masaad Al-Maghrabi, said his department would confiscate motorcycles used to transport pilgrims and punish their owners with fines. “These motorbikes constitute a serious threat to the pilgrims and the drivers because of their smoke combustion and loud noise,” Brig. Al-Maghrabi said describing motorcycles as an illegal and dangerous means of transport. According to Abdul Rahman, a single trip on a motorcycles costs anywhere between SR200 and SR300 depending on the distance. During the Haj season, rates can go up to SR500 per pilgrim per trip. But with the new ban in place, Abdul Rahman and other fellow Makkawis will have to look for alternate means to benefit from the millions of pilgrims that pour into the city for the annual Haj pilgrimage. One such resident is Muhamamd Al-Zahrani, a young Saudi man whose friends taught him how to drive a motorcycle specifically for the purpose of transporting pilgrims. “Due to school and our jobs, we don't do this all year around. The Haj season, however, is a great opportunity to make a lot of money and now they want to take this away from us?” he said.
