Israelis Shun Buses, Favor Trains Amid Public Transport Woes

New data from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reveals a significant decline in bus ridership, with half of Israelis aged 20 and over not having used a bus in the past year. This trend indicates that buses are struggling to become the preferred mode of public transportation for the general population. In contrast, trains are experiencing higher satisfaction rates and present a more favorable picture.

The survey, conducted in 2025, found that approximately 3.2 million adults (50% of those aged 20 and above) used public buses in the preceding 12 months. While women (53%) used buses slightly more than men (47%), the highest usage was among 20-24 year olds (73%). However, this represents a decrease from a decade ago, when 57% of adults used buses.

Satisfaction with bus services is mixed. Only 31% of adults are satisfied with the frequency of intercity bus lines, with satisfaction varying by city. While 52% of the public view bus services positively, nearly half of bus users are not convinced that public transport allows them to reach their destinations in a reasonable time.

Conversely, 2.8 million adults (44%) traveled by train in the past year. Public perception of train services is significantly more positive, with 66% of adults rating them favorably. Among actual train passengers, this figure rises to 86%, highlighting a substantial trust gap between trains and buses, particularly concerning bus frequency and punctuality.