Resuming Operations, 458 Shalawat Buses Ready to Transport Pilgrims 24 Hours to Grand Mosque

The "Shalawat Bus" service, crucial for transporting Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, has resumed full operations, offering 24-hour free shuttle services between pilgrims' hotels and the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The service officially restarted on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 13:00 Saudi Arabian Time (WAS).

Syarif Rahman, Head of Transportation Services for the Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) in Saudi Arabia, explained that the initial schedule was adjusted. The government shifted the start time from 01:00 WAS to 13:00 WAS. Rahman believes this change aligns with the peak Hajj period, particularly after pilgrims complete Nafar Tsani and return to their hotels from Mina. "We concluded that this (the schedule change for the Shalawat bus) is very much in line with the peak of Hajj, where many pilgrims worldwide finish Nafar Tsani in the afternoon, so that time (when the bus was not operating) was used for rest," he stated in an interview with the Media Center Haji (MCH) team. He added that the revised schedule remains highly relevant, allowing pilgrims adequate rest.

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We concluded that this (the schedule change for the Shalawat bus) is very much in line with the peak of Hajj, where many pilgrims worldwide finish Nafar Tsani in the afternoon, so that time (when the bus was not operating) was used for rest. So, in our opinion, it is still very relevant if postponed by 12 hours, so that pilgrims can rest.

Prior to the Hajj peak, the bus service was already operating at full capacity. A fleet of 458 buses is now deployed across 23 routes, running continuously. The service is entirely free, alleviating concerns for pilgrims about transportation costs as they travel to and from the Grand Mosque for various rituals, including Tawaf Ifadah.

Pilgrims can access the Shalawat buses from designated stops near their hotels. Three main terminals around the Grand Mosque serve the routes: Syib Amir, Ajyad, and Jabal Ka'bah. Pilgrims are advised to note their designated terminal and bus route numbers, which can be found on route cards distributed to them, to ensure smooth travel.

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Pilgrims who are going home to the homeland or who are going to Medina can use the Shalawat bus 24 hours a day starting today. Whether they are going to perform tawaf ifadah, or other worship at the Grand Mosque every day.