Community Services is pleased to announce the new internal shuttle and external shopping bus schedules effective from Saturday, May 30 (internal buses) and Sunday, May 31 (external shopping buses).
- The new daily Campus & KMC bus route after 7:00 p.m.
- The new fun bus for all recreation centers, KAUST beach and the Water Sports Center
To download the new maps and timetables, please visit the Facilities & Community website and go to either ‘on-campus’, or ‘off-campus’ bus schedules.
A transportation representative will be available to answer any of your questions this Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28 at the Community Information Center, from 12:00 (noon) to 4:00 p.m.
If you are unable to attend, please email any relevant transportation questions to transport@kaust.edu.sa.
Please note, all timetables are subject to change during University, high school and public holidays. Ramadan and EID schedules will be announced shortly.
81 comments
Dear Transport Team,
This is great, a lot of new addition to malls and shopping places. Thank you!!
However, what is the rationale of limiting the pilgrimage bus to only ONE for each trip?! In my experience, for the entire 2 years that i am here, NEVER ONE bus is enough, NEVER! Most of the time, at least TWO buses are filled up. To Madinah, most of the time THREE buses.
Please reconsider this limitation, and bring back the flexibility of adding bussses for pilgrimage. If shopping buses can take unlimited passengers, why can’t the pilgrimage?
HI,
Many thanks for your comments, KAUST Transportation has took a step to further more improve the transportation services for the community. Yes we agreed that some time we need to sent two buses to MAKKAH due to load factor. After studying KAUST Transportation plan to run bus to MAKKAH on Friday & Saturday with different and long timing to accommodate maximum community. For Madinah usually we sent two buses in a month trip, but now the same we distributed in to two trips in a month to give more option flexibility for those who missed the trip by any reason.
I hope this will clear the questions you raised.
Regards,
Saif AllKatheri
Dear Mr AllKatheri,
Thank you for the explanation. I understand the increased trip frequency. But, Is there any pre-registration planned for this? How would we know who would want to go this week or another. How would we know if this week more people are going that the other week? How do we distribute ourselves to make sure everyone has their chance to get on the bus on some weeks. I am sure you are aware that we have to make hotel reservations ahead of time especially going to Madinah, what if we cannot get on the bus when we have booked the hotel that week? We can be at the bus station ahead of time, but how do we be sure we get on the bus?
Please, have a look into this matter.
And, do shopping buses has this limitation?
Thank you.
Hi again,
As you understand we are offering the bus services to all KAUST community and we have not limited the pilgrimage buses, we have organized the trips and gives more options for the community to select between two trips in a month, to guarantee your seat you can reserve a taxi to your destination or to show-up early and get the opportunity to have a seat. Also on the main time we are developing a new booking system but it will take some time to implement.
Kindly note that we will review all (off & on campus buses within two months after the implementation to give more time for the community feedback).
Regards,
Saif AlKatheri
1. “we have not limited the pilgrimage buses, ”
So, do you limit the bus to ONE only, or not? In the new schedule, it says ONLY ONE BUS for pilgrimage bus. My question following this: Why do only pilgrimage bus is limited to ONE only each trip?
2. “to guarantee your seat you can reserve a taxi”
Of course, no question about guaranteed seats on a taxi. The question arises If there are only ONE bus for every pilgrimage trip. So, if your answer to question #1 is NO, than fine, we do not have to worry about booking our hotel in advance. If YES, is there anyway to book a seat in advance, before the booking system is in place?
3. “show-up early and get the opportunity to have a seat”
From experience for Madinah trip, by as early as 6.05am more than 50 people are already at the bus station to be sure they get their seats. That was with the unlimited buses. What is Transport Team plan if the next trip to Madinah has the same number of people? It will be like playing games with the bus, we packed, we wait at the station, we rammed to get on the bus, successful ramming – get a seat, unsuccessful – go back home, wait for next 2 weeks.
This situation is already happening, Transport Team, you need a plan already to deal with this, “within two months after the implementation to give more time for the community feedback” – by that time, it will be just complains, not feedback.
Thank you!
Dear Saif,
I am wondering what was the reason for changing the stop at Makkah? Instead of being near the Haram, now its about 8 km away. This will especially be problematic for families.
I have read above comments and I strongly agree with T! These buses are for our convienence, this new rule WILL just cause chaos and frustration , specially the madina bus for which you prepare a day or two in advance make advance booking of hotel walk all the way to bus stop WITH kids. And then come back just cause transportation couldnt arrange for second bus.
Moreover if this is a new rule apply it to shopping buses also why ONLY Makkah and Madina buses.
Kaust transportation is to facilitate KAUST residents not to frustrate them and force them into BOOKING TAXIS which is already a scarce resource in KAUST!
Very well summarized.
Can’t not agree more. Two big thumbs for T for expressing my feeling \(- -)/ .
Our worries completely align with T! People are aware of this fact already that Pilgrimage buses esp. those for Madina are taken up fast. Showing up early or arranging a means to reach bus on time has not been a problem. It was always a question of available seats to accommodate pilgrims present. It is frustrating a change esp. onlooking Ramadhan, when pilgrimage swells up.
Takes either 5 minute walk or 2 minute ride from my apartment to be with the bus,but if I don’t get a seat there,How can booking taxi help?
Is there really a need of 2 months of implementation and feedback after the pragmatic concerns raised by T ?
Greetings,
Lets break down the above comments as:
1-Makkah drop-off location:
The previous drop-off point was not designated for download or upload passengers for buses.
2-Makkah limited trips:
Pervious Makkah schedule was every Thursday and twice per month on Friday for that we shift Thursday trip to Saturday to give more time for people who wants to sit there.
3- Madinah Trip:
According to the manifest we have we make our study and find out that many people have one option only per month to reach Madinah, the new shift is to give the opportunity to select their convenience trip in addition that we are working in a new booking system to organize the demand and will be available soon.
4- Shopping Buses are not limited:
Because of high demand to Jeddah destinations we have always a Back up buses and for that we are utilizing these buses.
All your suggestions will be reviewed again and KAUST Transportation will work as much they can and consider the valuable comments.
Regards,
Saif AlKatheri
Regarding point 2: If I take the bus to Mekkah on Friday and stay overnight how do I reserve a spot on the bus to come back on Saturday to KAUST ? The bus might be full on Saturday especially if you are allowing one bus only to Mekkah each trip.
Dear Ihap,
As we mentioned the priority is to whom ride the bus for the same day so if you went on Friday you can only get a seat on Saturday if there are available seat.
Regards,
Saif AlKatheri
Dear Mr. AlKatheri,
We are sure you are equally interested in facilitating community members with best possible transport options. We just want to highlight the fact that the demand is also HIGH for PILGRIMAGE BUSES and not just Jeddah shopping destinations. Therefore, a commensurate backup from transport team is really appreciated for the former.
Thanks for understanding our concern
Dear Mr Saif Al Katheri
Your point 1. That previous stop was designated…leaves me quite startled. It is always stated in bus schedule that pick up and drop off near to HARAM. And ONLY during RAMADAN was it mentioned in schedule that the pick up and drop off point is MASJID AYESHA. i have been in KAUST for almost four years now, and using ONLY KAUST bus service outside and within KAUST to know exactly where pickup and drop off is done except for RAMADAN.
As to your point 2,3,4: You have kindly increased bus destinations to JEDDAH. I request you to apply your principle of ONE bus only there as well and this issue WILL be resolved. Since, the demand for Makkah and Madina buses is as HIGH as that of JEDDAH.
THANK YOU!
Dear Mr. AlKatheri,
I just want to highlight the fact that the demand is also HIGH for PILGRIMAGE BUSES and not just Jeddah shopping destinations. Therefore, a commensurate backup from transport team is really appreciated for the PILGRIMAGE BUSES.
Thanks for understanding our concern
Dear Mr Saif AlKatheri,
You are not answering the question about the limited no of the bus. Please look at the schedule, the footnote says – and “Pilgrimage Buses: ONLY 1 BUS serve to MAKKAH & MADINAH Priority on first come first serve basis for the same day BUS”
Why does pilgrimage buses limited to only 1 bus and first come first serve basis, when the demand is always high, on every trip, on any day?
PLEASSSEEEEEEE and Thank you, we need this answered.
The drop and pickup should be near Haram rather than 8-10 km away from haram.
Hi Again,
We have not limited the Pilgrimage trips before we was sending two buses to Madinah and right now the same number of trips are there.
Trip to Makkah was every Thursday and 2nd & 4th Friday of month but now its every Thursday and every Saturday permanent.
Anyhow if we find a high demand we will escalate this issue to KAUST management with the reference and they decide to increase the number of buses.
Regards,
Saif AlKatheri
I am also with Mr T comments. I don’t understand of limiting no of buses for Makkah and Madinah. Why not for Jeddah?? I can understand the buses with go now twice a month but it is not guarantee that it will fill only one bus. I think this matter should be seriously considered. Also KAUST transportation is to facilitate KAUST residents not to frustrate them and force them into BOOKING TAXIS.
Also my another concern is why Makkah Drop off point is changed???? It is fine for Ramadhan but I don’t understand why it is changed for other months? I think pick up and drop off point should remain the same as it was.
Dear All,
Please note that we would like to hear from you before 28th May so we can consider your valuable comments. We have not closed the doors as we want to serve as much as we can.
Regards,
Saif AlKatheri
Dear Transportation Team,
I would suggest that your team spend some time at the bus station, duirng the Makkah and Madinah trip, and tell us, how do these trips to the haramain are not in high demand comparing to the other Jeddah trips? Tell us why do the pilgrimage trip do not deserve back up buses as other Jeddah trips? Please.
Thank you.
Hi every one,
Increasing trip to Makkah is good but there are some points to consider.
1- Dropp off point is really comfort for womens who are going alone and s[pecially with small kids. It takes at least total 1 hour to reach there and on the way back to Mosque Aisha in normal days.So how we spend more timwe there.At least we have now peace of mind and easy to reach to the bus.(In ramdan its ok because of traffic )
2- First come first serve is going to be a fish market there on the bus stop. we do niha for Umrah at home and by the time if there is no spot for you what we will do.Really big frustration and no one wants to urguments with others.
3-On Saturday we will only performe one prayer there. 4.30 even Prayer Aser is not finished in Haram. Even though you need to reach Mosque Aisa. Actually you are not spending more time ,We will travel more then now. Dropp off and pick up point is not comfortable at all.
4. Booking system is much better. If possible.
Thanks evryone.
I also support these two points,
1: One bus rule is only devised for Makkah and Midnah trips which looks strange
2: Pick and drop off location at Makkah should restore back to previous one as many single girls, families with kids and elders go there and it will be really difficult for them to use taxis to reach Haram with their luggage.
I hope we will get positive response soon.
Dear Transport Team,
Thank you very much for the increased frequency to Madinah and new day for Makkah. But we would rather have less frequency but definite seat on the bus, than frequent but indefinite spot for the trip.
Thank you for considering and spending your valuable time to take this feedback into action before June starts.
I second T’s comments. Less frequency, more space is much better than higher frequency, limited space.
Last night me and my spouse made some calculations as to the claim that increasing frequncy and limiting buses still cater to same number of pilgrims…here it is
Current schedule there are 6 trips to Makkah (assuming four weeks in month) On each trip atleast there are TWO buses: 6*2=12.
New schedule there are 8 trips to Makkah (assuming 4 weeks in month ) On each trip ONLY one bus: 8*1=8.
Clearly number of pilgrims that can travel have reduced by FOUR buses!!!
Currently ONLY one trip to Madina where always they have TWO buses and usually an eight seater GMC or sometimes even a THIRD bus. So how can they say that TWO trips with ONLY one bus is sufficient for Madina and will cater to equal number of pilgrims.
I am not in favor of booking system at all. It will result in people booking even if they are not 100% sure they will travel and even if they are any last minute emergency will only result in their seats going vacant and someone else being deprieved of travelling.
G,
Thank you for the calculations! Definitely this gives a better perspective.
Dear Transportation Team,
I hope you will consider above comments. There should be back up buses for Makkah and Madina Trips as well.
Greetings,
Just want to clarify you that the number of buses does not mean that they fully occupied, this means additional passengers to accommodate. The calculation should be based on seats availability.
The new booking system will be implement soon to organize the seats availability and give guarantee to the passenger in advance.
The new schedule will give more time in Makkah to those who wants to stay for long duration, the passengers who wants to stay at Makkah for next day their seats will be subject to availability.
To discus further more we have an open session at Community Information Center on Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 from 12:00noon to 04:00pm at Discovery square.
Regards,
Saif AlKatheri
Dear Saif,
A dedicated slot should be announced to discuss just the haramain bus issues, so that we can discuss together, not as individual. would you allocate the time so we can go at once?
Thank you.
I am in for group discussion.
Dear Saif
It is the clear that the new schedule/system for pilgrimage buses is NOT suitable and not acceptable by our community.
If you are making this service and these modifications to satisfy our community then clearly these modifications must be revised.
If you are doing these modifications for some other reason, kindly may you explain it to us?
I would like to draw your attention to some important points.
1- The fact that they explicitly mention in UPPER CASE in the new table that ONLY ONE bus will be provided to Makkah/Madinah means that they already know that there is high demand, they already know that one bus is NOT enough, they already know that people will suffer, get frustrated, and complain. So just an easy answer prepared answer is required which is “the policy says that ONLY ONE bus is provided”! I hope there is some misunderstanding from my side so please explain this point to me!
2- You are putting the cart before the horse! You want to implement this frustrating ONE bus policy after few days and then you say that a booking system will be implemented! It should be done the other way around. First you should implement the booking system, and then if you find that there is no demand then you can say that one bus is enough. Actually, I am asking again that if one bus is enough and satisfactory, why do you have to enforce it as a rule?!
3- Also why implement a booking system from the beginning? Why do you make things that complicated? Why don’t you keep it simple as it was? How are you going to deal with no-shows? Many other issues render the booking system unpractical.
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaase respond to the needs of our community and don’t make us suffer.
The fact that this limitation is only for Makkah/Madinah trip – frustrates us the most!
i think most important issues are already cleared in the above comments. and i don’t need to repeat them again to confirm all the above issues are affecting a significant part of the community. so, i hope to get positive response soon.
just another important issue, the new schedule doesn’t allow praying “jumma’a” Friday prayers in Makkah Haram by any mean. previously, people go by Thursday bus, stay overnight in hotel and pray “Jumma’a” Friday prayers and come back.
Although, Saturday morning bus is good to have, but it is not a good replacement for the Thursday bus.
Thanks
We will be gathering in Discovery square CIC at 2 pm today, Wednesay, to specifically discuss the issue of Makkah/Madinah Bus schedule. Anyone who has concerns, please join. Thank you.
Today I went to the session with some friends and we had 1.5 hr discussion (from 12.30 to 2pm). Here is the summary:
– The transport representative is a very nice and respectful person, but unfortunately he doesn’t have full authority to take decisions or change the schedule. He will discuss it with his manager (may be we can talk to the manager directly).
– Booking system will implemented in few days –> I believe it is not practical
– Charging will follow but not very soon (may be next year).
– The purpose of “only one bus” rule is to save costs –> not convincing because majority of cost is due to the 32 trips/week to Jeddah.
– Why “only one bus” rule is not applied to Jeddah –> no convincing answer (I guess because more people will complain!)
– Why did you change haram drop/pickup point? –> Due to traffic violations when drop/pickup near Haram because only SAPTCO buses are allowed to do that –> My suggested solution is to contract with SAPTCO to provide us with transport from/to Aisha mosque –> He liked the solution and he will try to implement it
– He will try to increase Makkah/Madinah to two buses instead of “only one”, but he needs manager approval
Please keep sending your FB regarding this. We need many people to send their FB.
If somebody else has updates, please send it.
Dear Hesham,
with all my respect to you the above statement was not clear enough as Transportation representatives does not agreed with your statement, the Makkah & Madinah subject was discussed with Mr. Shaid and 4 others from 2:00pm to 3:15pm and you was not part of it. The way you are pushing the people to be escalate your idea and part of the suggestions you give is not practical.
Again to make the issue clear we are available tomorrow at CIC at the same time (2:00pm to 3:30 to discuss on Makkah & Madina buses)
Regards,
Saif AlKatheri
Dear Mr Saif
How many people are you expecting to show up at the said time to actually make the change? Please do specify the numbers. Because the FIVE people who came to you yesterday where representing MANY MANY others who couldnt make it to the discussion for any reason.
If you are SERIOUSLY interested in making changes, please do so, I guarentee you, you will be facilitating pilgrims to Makkah and Madina.
Thank you, Hesham. It’s puzzling though why the Makkah and Medinah buses are targeted for “cost saving”.
The conclusion from the discussion with 5 people at 2pm (this on FB as well):
1. Please make sure everytime you use the bus, fill out the registration sheet, with the exact no of dependent sitting on the bus. The impression was, makkah madinah buses are always only 60% full (?!)
2. If you think that this issue is important to you, please raise your concerns on all available channels (thelens, fb, email). Seems like there are only 5 community members affected by this.
3. If the implementation of the booking system is troubling you later, do not mumble about it, raise your concerns in every available channels.
We also went with five people but they told us ‘Since you five arrive, it means that you only have problem with new schedule’. Anyhow, it seems that the transport team seems cooperative but it seems that they want to implement their agenda in any case. This is what I can only say.
Also,
1. for those of us overnight in Makkah and coming back on the next days bus – apparently this is punishable – we should not do that because somebody will not get their seats and some seats were wasted on KAUST-Makkah route. BUT, for people/Jeddawis coming back from Jeddah on Mall of Arabia bus on Saturday nights, NO PROBLEM, they can accommodate up to 3 buses (??!!!)
2. There has been observation by the Transport Team that some community members go to Makkah EVERY week (so?). This is discouraged because, Makkah is too crowded now, we shouldn’t add on to the crowd, hence the limitation to one bus. To educate the community, to give way to others to go to Makkah, as they said it. But if you want to go to Red Sea Mall every other day, despite the mall being jam-packed, no problem, there’s always a back-up bus.
How about that?
From the previous comments on Makkah and Madinah buses and this notification, it seems that you are determined to introduce the new schedule of the buses. Then what is the need of taking feedback when you are only going to clarify your point not to modify the schedule?
My suggestions/requests are
1. Instead of applying new schedule, revert back to the original one. Everyone is ok with shift of Thursday to Saturday, and make bus on every 2nd and 4th Friday. And run them as usual.
2. If you are restricting the buses than restrict them to 2 not 1.
3. If you are introducing the reservation system than please take care of the people who are involved in the research specially Researchers (Scientist, postdocs, PhDs………..). They are not always sure of their availability 5-10 days before because of their running experiments. If they came to know on Thursday that they free on this weekend, I’m sure they will get the space one day before because of the over-loading. If they book in advance and on the last day they were unable to go because of their experiment, then they will definitely compromise with the booking not the research. So please consider these points for the researchers as their research is important for the university, for the kingdom and as whole for the humanity and the whole world.
4. You always modify the schedule for the convenience of the people travelling. Changing the drop and pick up point from Haram to Masjid Aisha is definitely convenient for someone. May be for the driver on the inconvenience of 50 people in the bus.
If the transport team wants to go for a headcount,we may contribute numbers here. People have meetings,chores,tasks. They are not always visible to transport team but it is not understandable how did they relate it with the stretch of this problem.Still If we need to give them good numbers I may contribute with a list of people who share their worries with the five those showed up yesterday. For the moment, let me add my and my spouse’s name to this list of ‘Five who have problem’. Makes us seven right?
I would just suggest for the Transport Team to run another survey just for Makkah and Madinah trip.
-Based on updates above, there are at least (4 +5) =9 people went yesterday
And other more expressed there issues in the comments..
-The new intended schedule doesn’t add any benefit to Makkah madinah buses, but reducing the quality of service (QoS) by cutting the number of busses
-The only benefit of the intended schedule is saving 4 bus trips
Currently, Makkah buses= (4+2) trips x 2 buses = 12 bus trips
Intended , Makkah busses= (4+4) trips X11 bus= 8 buses trips
-Bus services is vital to the entire community ..it keeps our oasis connected to the big cities
– Value of time of 100’s of affected researchers and community members ( roughly sub million dollars or more) are much higher than saving 4 buses !
This is my two cents and thanks for understanding
Hi transport team, it sounds like pilgrims are not getting equal treatment.mnew schedule and limiting the busses for pilgrims is raising concerns and frustration, which is obvious from the comments above. If travellors to jeddah gets luxury and peace of mind of having a backup buss same should be for the pilgrims visting makkah and Madina. Moreover please dont count heads reaching you, just realize community members are just not free tonrush to meet transport team. Please understand, give them peace of mind , adress their concerns.
One bus rule is not acceptable. Why is this rule ONLY for Makkah and Madina buses which are always in high demand. Makkah drop off should be near to Haram.
Dear Transport Team,
The new trip to the two malls Flamingo & Azziz Mall, might not be as popular as other malls in Jeddah, so perhaps you can use these buses instead for the more popular Mekka and Madina trips?
Tank you All
Regarding to overnight bus to Madina. I suggest to KAUST transport to provide us with on-line booking system (or pre-registration booth). The on-line booking can serve, let say 60-70% of the seats and the remaining are still open on the spot. For those who already make a booking but could not show up then there will be a penalty (perhaps can not book again not the next month). So the cancellation is necessary for those who already book the bus, but then later decide to cancel the trip. This is good to make sure people who book hotel in Madina get their hotel.
Is there any online registration for Jeddah Buses? Or any registration booth or any other limitation for them?
Why is such a simple thing not understandable by Transport team that DEMANDS ARE HIGH FOR PILGRIMAGE BUSES. Who can tell them the fact better that us? We are THE PILGRIMS.
We were satisfied with the old schedule and now, we don’t want alterations or modifications which complicate a necessity of the sort of Pilgrimage.
Transport Team,
For us who have planned to go to Madinah on 5 June, we have made hotel reservation waaayyy in advance, at least 2 weeks ago. Would you let us know if you can guarantee us a seats with the booking system, as this notice come 2 weeks too late…
Thanks.
Dear Transportation team,
I just went through new bus schedule on facilities website. Want to share few suggestions regarding Makkah & Madinah buses, that I believe will improve user experience & benefits. Also note that all people above have given same suggestions, so it is very clear that not a single user of Makkah & Medinah buses is comfortable with new changes!
1. If departure timing of Friday bus to Makkah can be moved to morning, people will be able to perform friday prayer in Haram.
2. Please restore 2 buses towards Makkah & Madinah. There is almost always people for 2 bus loads. Further, people have to do “niya’h” for pilgrim and/or book hotels for Madinah beforehand. So, after all preparations it would be a frustrating experience to be left behind. (and current setting actually ensures that many will get this terrible experience each week!)
3. Please restore pickup and dropoff point at Makkah to previous one. There are many families, elderly and specially women who rely on KAUST buses and for whom it is difficult to commute between Haram and Masjid Aisha on independent transport.
Looking forward to your positive response.
Having more then one bus makes people with little kids a lot more relaxed. We know there are 2 buses so we don’t need to stress out and run and rush to “hope” to find seats for us. Please let there be 2 buses each time for Friday and Saturday because people that spend the night on Friday may not get seats on the bus if there is only one bus since on Saturday there may be a full bus and if the people who spent the night there most likely will not get seats.
Please let there be more then one bus each day .
Thank you.
I support the previous drop-off and pick-up point of Makkah bus (underground point). Also, extend time on saturday till 17:30 as 16:30 is very hard to catch bus after prayer.
It is quite clear that further revision is required of the Makkah/Madinah bus schedule.
I think that the drop off and pick up place should remain the same because the current place is too near from Haram.
I support the current drop-off and pick-up point.
The new schedule is not convenient nor it is fair. I would not be able to reserve a hotel in Mekkah or Madinah not knowing that I can’t get a spot on the bus. Even with the booking system how would I guarantee a spot on the next day bus ?????
Please revise the new schedule and ONE BUS ONLY policy.
1. The drop and pickup should be by Haram rather than 8-10km away.
I agree that for Ramadan getting close to Haram is quite impossible, Other wise it should remain same as of now.
2. It is very difficult to get hotel bookings in Makkah and Madina and top of it is non-refundable. Limiting the space in the bus can be devastating and expensive for the pilgrims.
3. Thursday bus is more preferable to me than Saturday. Since Sunday is a working day here at Kaust. Getting back from Makkah in late evening and getting ready to go to work next day can be quite challenging.
4. Aziz mall and Flamingo Mall is a great addition to the large Indian and Pakistani community here at Kaust.However if we efficiently lessened the days of services to accommodate budget to increase the pilgrimage buses then, it is highly suggestive.
In the end-KINDLY DO NOT LIMIT BUSES FOR MAKKAH PLEASE.
Dear transportation team,
We are looking forward to a new schedule with more than 1 bus to Makkah and Madina. Also, please try to accomodate friday prayer in Makkah. The drop off and pickup point be restored to the previous one as well.
Thank you.
1. We are thankful that there is now a weekly bus to Makkah and twice a month to Madinah.
2. It is clear that the community would prefer two buses instead of one bus ONLY for each trip.
3. It is also clear that it is better if arrangements could be made to stick to the original pick up and drop off point.
4. Most community members are unable to attend the scheduled feedback session due to work commitments.
Many thanks for all your wonderful service.
Dear Transportation Team,
Yesterday, you were complaining only five persons are commenting on Lens and have problem with MAKKAH and Madinah buses. Now you can see many persons who are not satisfied with this new schedule (MAKKAH & Madinah).
We hope you will increase the number of buses and also pickup, drop off location.
Thank you.
Dear Transport Team
From all the comments, it is clear that community members who go to Makkah/Madinah are not satisfied with the new schedule (ONLY one bus + Makkah drop point).
If you want headcount, we can bring you the names of more than 100 persons in our community who are not satisfied.
Please listen to the voice of our community.
Dear Transportation team,
It is great that you have additional routes to much needed locations in Jeddah. Thank you very much for arranging them.
But the sad part is that there was very poor publicity about this feedback session. I received an email at 5:52 pm today saying that there was a feedback session until 4pm. Unfortunately I cannot turn back my clock and come to an event at 4pm when we were emailed at 5:52pm.
And I believe the people who raise the concerns about the pilgrimage buses represent the people who use the buses, and it is only fair to take their concerns into consideration. It is extremely impolite to imply that they are pushing people and unnecessarily escalating the situation. After all this is a feedback session and they ARE giving you valuable feedback.
Looking at the cutting back of buses it is clear that the transportation team has probably never travelled by the KAUST bus to Makkah, if they had, they would know the rush and the lack of seats.
Ps- I have travelled many times to Jeddah where an extra bus was put just for 2 or 3 passengers! And I find it ironic that an extra bus would not be put for Makkah even if T, G, Qasim, Shahid, T2, Tatheer, Ihab, Ismail, Ikr, malik, Humaira, Amna, Hesham, Shassan, Mahmoud, Shahid Saghir, Uzma, A, RK, Bilal, Hira, Wakil, Adeem, Aymen, Hiba, FF, Azhar bin Ismail, Amna . Thats 26 people who’ve already requested for it. And probably many many more like me who could not turn back their clocks to attend the feedback session.
Dear transportation team,
Could you please revise the new schedule for Makkah- Madinah.
We need to change the drop/ pick up point in Makkah.
We need to keep people who want to go can go freely without the rule of first come, first serve.
We need to remove the word ” only one bus”
We need your caring and concerning about us
Pleaaaase do your best to resolve this issue especially that more people prefer to go frequently to Makkah during Ramadan.
Good luck all
Hi guys?
How may i register myself for the trip to Madina this coming Friday ?
thanks!!
Dear Transportation Team,
If you genuinely are interested in soliciting the opinions of the community I suggest writing the time & date of the community session in the article rather than tucked away in the comments thread!
Given the number of comments already posted I think the sentiment is clear, but if you still need to hear in person please hold a public session and advertise the details.
Thank you for serving the community.
Today I am amazed to see new on campus routes. I think transportation department decided to perform worst from excellent. They want people to buy more cars to change KAUST from environmental friendly place to polluted environment. I don’t understand what’s wrong with old time tables? Creating more frustration among community.
Dear Transportation Team,
Is there any updates on this issue? New Schedule? 1 bus or more? Booking system in place? Drop/pick-up spot?
The trip to Madinah (and makkah) is just a few days away, hotel rooms are reserved.. we need certainty on the transport here…
Thank you.
Indeed the transport team changed the table. They added two buses on Friday to Mall of Arabia and Red Sea Mall!
Now we have 34 trips/week to Jeddah.
Unfortunately, it seems transport people don’t care about our comments 🙁
Really disappointing and frustrating!
Greetings,,
The Transportation team is gathering and working on all feedback received.
Mecca and Madinah buses booking System will be announced Soon. The team will do their best to accommodate all booking requests.
On and off campus buses routes are under evaluation. The final schedule and routes will be announced early next week.
Please be sure that Transportation teams are doing their best to serve and satisfy the community as much as they can.
Please send your comments , feedback and complaints to transport@kaust.edu.sa to allow the team to for better data gathering.
Thank You..
Regards,
Omar
I went and came back from Red Sea Mall on Friday. There were two buses on return, one was full while second with three pessangers. It is indeed sad to see their response on this issue.
Regarding the booking system, opening booking only 3 days in advance is not practical.
Especially for Madinah, we need to book hotels two weeks in advance to get a good offer.
So please allow booking at least two weeks in advance.
Uncertainty till 3 days before the trip will discourage people from going (unless this is required to decrease the no. of buses!).
Dear Transportation team,
Please allow TWO buses this time for Medina until the booking system is implemented, because many people already booked their hotels before the new schedule was announced.
Greetings,,
For this week Transportation will provide two buses for Mecca and Two buses for Madinah. The booking system will be active from Tomorrow morning to serve next week Trips.
Thank You.
Regards,
Omar
Dear Omar,
Thanks for your encouraging comment. You will do your best to accommodate all the bookings. this is what we want. Thats great! We appreciate your effort of accommodating all the bookings. we just want a sure place whether you run one bus or two.
Thanks!
Thanks! 🙂
Thanks !