Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia's National News Agency (LKBN) ANTARA commended Saudi Arabian government for its detailed preparation of facilities and transportation options for pilgrims ahead of the peak of the 2026 Hajj.”I appreciate to the Saudi Arabian government for its detailed preparation of facilities and transportation options ahead peak of the 2026 Hajj,” News Director of ANTARA, Virgandhi Prayudantoro, said in a statement received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Saturday.Prayudantoro, together with the representatives from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Media, visited Saudi Arabia Railways to see the Haramain High-Speed Railway, one of the key transportation facilities supporting the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.He noted that the high-speed railway has significantly improved transportation for pilgrims traveling from Jeddah to Mecca.“The Haramain High Speed Railway has greatly assisted in transporting 2026 Hajj pilgrims from Jeddah to Mecca, with nearly 800,000 passengers served so far,” he said.Public and Media Relations Manager of Saudi Arabia Railways, Khaled Y. Al Farhan, stated that the Haramain High Speed Railway continues to play a vital role during the 1447H Hajj season through an intensive operational plan.“The plan aims to facilitate transportation between Makkah and Madinah within an integrated transport system that supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy,” he said.According to Al Farhan, the Haramain railway is providing more than 2.2 million seats for pilgrims and travelers during the Hajj season, with more than 140 trips operating daily during peak periods.Since the launch of the 1447H Hajj operational plan, the railway has transported over 800,000 passengers.“The Haramain High Speed Railway is one of the fastest electric trains in the world, operating at speeds of up to 300 km/h along a 453-kilometer railway line,” he added.The railway connects five major stations: Makkah Station, Jeddah (Al-Sulaimaniyah) Station, King Abdulaziz International Airport Station, King Abdullah Economic City Station, and Madinah Station.The train significantly reduces travel time, taking approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes between Makkah and Madinah, around 50 minutes between Makkah and King Abdulaziz International Airport, and about 1 hour and 45 minutes between Madinah and the airport.“This makes it the fastest mode of transportation between the two holy cities and a preferred choice for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and travelers,” he said.Al Farhan added that the Haramain station at King Abdulaziz International Airport is one of the most important transportation hubs during the Hajj season.Covering more than 105,000 square meters, the station is considered one of the world’s largest airport-connected railway stations. It is directly linked to Terminal 1 of King Abdulaziz International Airport, improving integration between air and rail transportation.He explained that the station helps accelerate pilgrim transfers immediately upon arrival in the Kingdom while also reducing traffic congestion during the Hajj season.