Nada Al-Maddah Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — Bus drivers will not be allowed to transport pilgrims between Makkah and Madinah after 11 p.m. for safety of pilgrims, according to new directives issued by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah and Chairman of the Central Haj Committee. The General Cars Syndicate and Tawafa establishments have been notified of the new directive. The syndicate has designed a bus trip schedule that ensures drivers will not be worn out and overworked. A bus driver cannot be put on duty unless he has rested and slept well. Over 90 drivers working in shifts have been placed at the Makkah-Madinah trip center while 100 have been assigned to the Madinah-Makkah trip center. Marwan Zubady, the syndicate's spokesman, said his organization and the traffic authorities discussed the best ways to prevent any disruption of traffic flow and congestion caused by bus drivers who park their vehicles in the streets. All bus drivers were instructed to park their buses in the allotted parking areas, he said. He added: “Over 14,000 maps showing bus parking areas will be distributed among drivers.”
