Makkah train station to trigger growth‏

MAKKAH, May 17: Makkans are looking forward to the new train station in Al-Rusaifa neighborhood, which they believe will benefit local hotels, restaurants and shops, and reduce traffic accidents that are costly for the country and individuals. The station, on the Jeddah-Makkah Highway and Third Circular Road, is also expected to significantly reduce traveling times for pilgrims, residents and citizens, a media report said Wednesday. “The dream is now a reality,” said public transport expert Abdullah Al-Hazmi, who believes that this would completely eradicate long queues, and standing on the sides of the road waiting for transport. Suleiman Al-Harbi, an investor in transport and a member of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce’s transport committee, said investors in hotels and apartments would benefit. Brig. Mohammad Ali Al-Harbi, from the traffic department, said the new transport system would significantly reduce accidents and congestion. This is because the new station is on the main entry point into Makkah and only 3 km from the Grand Mosque.   Arab News