Shalawat Bus Begins Operations Today

The free Shalawat Bus transportation service for prospective Indonesian Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is set to officially commence operations on Thursday, 30 April 2026, to welcome the first wave of pilgrims from Madinah. The service has prepared 56 special vehicles for disabled passengers.

“The first phase of pre-Armuzna operations will officially commence on 30 April. We have prepared for the first 12 kloters arriving in Makkah, with the buses on standby in their respective sectors,” said Syarif Rahman, Head of the Transportation Division of the Hajj Organising Committee (PPIH) in Saudi Arabia, in Makkah on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

This Hajj season, the government is paying special attention to pilgrim accessibility. According to him, the number of special buses for disabled passengers and wheelchair users has increased from 52 units last year to 56 units.

Unlike regular buses that operate 24 hours a day, he said, disability buses operate on a booking system (by order) to maintain effectiveness. Each flight group (kloter) with a minimum of five wheelchair users is required to book the service, especially for the performance of obligatory Umrah.

Overall, the Shalawat Bus service is operated by a consortium consisting of six transport companies, namely Syarikah Rawaheel as the consortium leader, along with Dallah, Hafil, Abu Sarhad, Mawakib, and Rawaf.

The vehicles used are standard city buses with a total capacity of 70 people, consisting of 40 seats and 30 hand grips. Standard facilities such as seat belts and drinking water coolers are also available on every vehicle.

The PPIH in Saudi Arabia ensures that all transportation services from pilgrim accommodation to the Masjidil Haram and vice versa are provided free of charge from the initial arrival until the last kloter returns.