Public Bus Use Declines Nationwide, Satisfaction Low, Rail Usage Rises

New data from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reveals a significant decline in public bus usage across the country, with only half of adults aged 20 and over using buses in the past year, a drop from 57% a decade ago. This trend is also evident among younger demographics, with bus ridership among 20-24 year olds falling from 80% in 2015 to 73% in 2025. A substantial portion, 50%, did not use buses at all last year, while daily ridership stands at just 15%. Satisfaction with intercity bus frequency is particularly low, with only 31% expressing contentment, a decrease over the past decade. Furthermore, only 56% of those who used buses felt they could reach their destination within a reasonable time.

While the city of Bnei Brak showed surprisingly high satisfaction with bus services, other areas present a more concerning picture. In Jerusalem, a city with a large Haredi population, the percentage of employed individuals commuting by public transport dropped from 30% in 2015 to 23% in 2025, though it remains higher than the national average. Similar negative trends in public perception of bus services were observed in the northern and southern regions, as well as in Judea and Samaria. Nationally, only 52% view bus services positively, compared to 31% negatively.

The data highlights a shift in commuting habits, with private or commercial vehicles dominating work commutes at 62%, while public buses account for only 12% and trains for 3.5%. Overall, public transport use for work commutes has fallen from about 20% a decade ago to approximately 16% currently, with the Central District seeing a sharp decline from 19% to 12%.

In contrast to the declining bus usage, Israel Railways has seen an increase in ridership. Approximately 2.8 million people, or 44% of adults, used the train in the past year, marking a rise compared to the previous decade, especially in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Judea and Samaria. Public satisfaction with train services is considerably higher, with 66% rating its performance positively, reaching 86% among actual train passengers.

The survey, which included 6,452 respondents representing about 6.3 million Israelis, paints a dual picture: while Bnei Brak stands out positively regarding bus metrics, the national trend shows declining bus use, low satisfaction, and a significant drop in public transport commuters to work in Jerusalem, juxtaposed with the growing popularity and satisfaction with the train system.