MMMSL Train Ceases Operation With End of Current Haj Season

MAKKAH, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- After seven days of operation and carrying about 1.5 million haj pilgrims since Aug 29, the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Southern Line (MMMSL) will close its services on Monday with the end of the current haj season. The train will be back in service next haj season. Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) , which managed the MMMSL train operation since 2015, once again displayed its outstanding performance in handling the busiest and most compact train service. Prasarana Integrated Management & Engineering Services (PRIME) chief executive officer Masnizam Hisham said this year's operations recorded 112 per cent in train movement flow surpassing last year's 110 per cent. "Although Prasarana experienced challenges in terms of the hot weather and increased passenger volume compared to last year, MMMSL succeeded in transporting 1.5 million passengers within the seven-day operation, compared to about 1.1. million last year. "Based on feedback received from the Saudi Arabian media and the passengers themselves, many are satisfied with the service provided,” she told the Malaysian media at the Jamarat Sation (Mina 3) here on Monday. She said there were also positive feedback from the Saudi Arabian authorities, including the Saudi Arabia Public Transport Authority (PTA). "PTA president Dr Rumaiah al-Rumaiah also commended the MMMSL operations ind was confident of Prasarana’s capacity,” she said. Questioned whether Prasarana had held talks with the Saudi Arabia government to extend on the handling of the MMMSL operations, Masnizam said Prasarana wanted to focus on the existing contract first. "Prasarana will continue the maintenance of train operations until the end of its contract on May 31 next year," she said, adding that she was optimistic of Prasarana’s opportunity to secure future projects in the country following its remarkable performance. Prasarana had been awarded a contract for the operation of the MMMSL train in 2015, involving a contract value of RM911 million, and the operation this haj season marked the final run of the contract after serving for two haj seasons. The MMMSL trained transported haj pilgrims to Arafah, Muzdalifah dan Mina. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA