Makkah: New bus route connects Grand Mosque to Hira Cultural District

A new public bus route has begun operating in Makkah, connecting the Grand Mosque with the Hira Cultural District as part of efforts to strengthen links between key religious and cultural destinations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the service provides direct access to major sites within the district, including the Revelation Exhibition, the Museum of the Holy Qur’an, educational centres and the Cave of Hira.

The addition forms part of the expanding Makkah Bus network, which now runs 12 routes across the city using 400 buses and 431 stations. The network spans 580 kilometres and has carried more than 188 million passengers across over four million trips.

The route is implemented under the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites and is overseen by the General Transport Center, which is responsible for planning, regulating and operating the city’s transport system.

Officials said the project supports broader efforts to upgrade public transport in Makkah by offering reliable alternatives to private vehicles, easing traffic congestion and reducing environmental impact. The initiative is aligned with the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.