ERL to Send Operations Staff to Support Makkah Metro Operations during 2018 Hajj Season

Kuala Lumpur, 28th June 2018 – Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) will once again be sending its staff to Saudi Arabia to support the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro operations during the Hajj season this year.

Also known as the Makkah Metro, the line is an 18-kilometre railway system connecting the holy sites of Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina and it only operates 7 days a year to transport the pilgrims during the peak Hajj week. The success of Makkah Metro has generated positive influence and received global praise and recognition from Muslims worldwide. The train services considerably reduce congestion and pollution previously caused by thousands of buses and cars while at the same time, providing a safer and more comfortable pilgrimage.

Noormah Mohd Noor, Chief Executive Officer of ERL said, “This year marks our seventh year in providing operational support to Makkah Metro and we will once again be working with China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) Saudi, the railway operation company appointed by the Saudi Government to operate the Makkah Metro line this year. I’d like to attribute this achievement to our good track record, operations expertise and competent staff. This partnership with CRCC will further bolster our commitment and dedication in providing rail service to the millions of Hajj pilgrims.”

Speaking at the event, the Guest of Honour, YBhg. Dato’ Sri Syed Saleh b. Syed Abdul Rahman, Senior General Manager (Hajj) of Lembaga Tabung Haji and Head of Malaysian Hajj Mission. In his speech, he said, “As a shareholder, LTH is proud that ERL has once again been given the trust to provide operational support to the Makkah Metro line during the Hajj season this year despite the change of railway operator appointed by the Saudi Government. It is a true testament to ERL’s strength and commitment to world-class service and safety.”

Manpower Requirements

1. CRCC requires more than 5,000 people to run the whole train operations during the Hajj season. Their jobs include: station management, platform and waiting area operations, operation control centre and train drivers.
2. This year there will be a total of 33 staff members from ERL and E-MAS who will be seconded for approximately 2 months. The positions they will be assigned to include: Deputy Station Manager, Station Master, Assistant Station Master and Station Control Room Agent. They are expected to depart for Saudi Arabia on 1st July 2018.