The Mecca Metro is operating well these days thanks to CRRC. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

As one of the earliest Chinese rail transport equipment companies to go global, Beijing-headquartered CRRC Corporation is continuing to proactively support the Belt and Road Initiative.

It is pushing to provide safe, comfortable, intelligent and eco-friendly rail transit products to countries along the route, while continuing to improve the quality of travel for people in these areas.

The current year marks the 12th year of service for the Mecca Metro in Saudi Arabia.

The metro is one of the world's most complex and demanding rail transit systems, operating continuously for seven days during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to transport over 3 million pilgrims from around the world to the holy city of Mecca.

In 2022, CRRC established a train "4S store" in Saudi Arabia to upgrade and renovate the Mecca Metro, which has been in operation for 10 years. Through the maintenance of more than 70 components and 376 points, the safety, comfort and intelligence of the trains have been significantly improved.

This year marks the first year of operation for the inaugural batch of newly commissioned Mecca Metro trains.

The Mecca Metro is being developed with the assistance of CRRC. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The trains being used on the Mecca Metro line are all tailor-made by CRRC, with 12-car formations accommodating over 5,000 passengers.

They can fully operate under high-temperature conditions of up to 50 C, withstand wind speeds up to level 8 and are affectionately known by locals as the "Desert Oasis."

Since the opening of the Mecca Metro in 2010, the trains have traveled through the mountains of Mecca, completing 55,960 round trips and covering a total of 3.12 million kilometers.

During peak hours, they can transport up to 100,000 passengers per hour, greatly alleviating the transportation pressure during the Hajj pilgrimage.