RIYADH: More than 750,000 passengers used the Haramain High-Speed Railway during this year’s Hajj season, an increase of 96 percent compared to the same period in 2022. 3,627 trips were made during the Hajj 2023 season, an increase of 79 percent compared to Hajj 2022, Saudi Press Agency reported. An average of 126 trips were made during peak days due to high demand and a record-breaking 131 trips were made on Dhul Hijjah 7 (the day before Hajj started). The railway transported pilgrims and travelers between Makkah and Madinah with a punctuality rate of 98 percent, which contributed to providing wider options for the smooth movement of passengers and times that suited them, SPA added.