TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director General of Hajj and Umrah Affairs of the Religious Affairs Ministry Abdul Djamil said that the government has improved land transportation services for Hajj pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season.
“Intercity transportation services for Hajj pilgrims has been prepared by the Indonesian government through a direct contract with bus companies in line with the speficications that have been determined,” said Abdul in a written statement on Sunday (22/5).
In the meantime, Director of Overseas Hajj Services of the Religious Affairs Ministry Sri Ilham Lubis said that the Ministry has already has specifications for buses to serve Hajj pilgrims this year.
According to him, buses to be used should be at least manufactured in 2009.
In terms of capacity, he said that the bus should provide at least 45 seats and are equpoped with air conditioner, emergency door, glass breaking tool, fire extinguishers, loud speaker, toilet, spare tire, and others.
He added that intercity buses would serve the route Medina–Mecca, Jeddah–Mecca–Jeddah, and Mecca–Medina.
DANANG FIRMANTO