Grand Mosque Accessibility Expanded With Dedicated Routes And Electric Carts For Elderly And Disabled Visitors
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has expanded a dedicated transport system, helping elderly and disabled visitors move safely between public transport stations and the Grand Mosque within an organised, secure environment designed around their needs.
The authority reports that this system supports easier movement during high-demand periods, easing pressure near entrances and exits. It aims to limit physical effort for elderly visitors, while also improving safety, comfort, and crowd organisation throughout busy worship times.
Four fixed routes now link public transport stations to the Grand Mosque using manually operated carts. These carts are planned to move through dense crowds efficiently, supporting orderly flows of worshippers and allowing elderly visitors a more manageable journey during peak prayer and pilgrimage periods.
Alongside the manual carts, the authority operates 37 electric carts for elderly visitors. Each electric cart can carry up to ten passengers and uses the Jarwal tunnel route, which allows faster access to the mosque’s courtyards and increases overall operational capacity for the transport system.
To support disabled visitors, three electric carts have been specially equipped and assigned to this group. Trained field teams run these carts, focusing on what the authority describes as a humane service model that respects privacy, meets individual requirements, and follows strict standards for both safety and comfort.
| Transport type | Number of carts | Main users |
|---|---|---|
| Manual carts on four routes | Not specified | Elderly visitors |
| Standard electric carts | 37 | Elderly visitors |
| Special electric carts | 3 | Disabled visitors |
| Total electric carts | 40 | Elderly and disabled visitors |
In total, 40 electric carts are deployed within the service, covering both elderly and disabled visitors. These carts work under an operational plan overseen by specialised teams, who monitor readiness, coordinate deployment, and aim to maintain high efficiency throughout service hours.
The authority states that these transport measures show an ongoing commitment to safe and accessible worship for elderly and disabled visitors. It also highlights Saudi Arabia’s wider dedication to supporting comfort and care for all visitors to the two holy mosques.
With inputs from SPA
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