Israelis Prefer Traffic Jams Over Public Transport, Data Shows

Despite significant expansion of public transportation infrastructure in Israel over the past decade, including new heavy rail lines and light rail projects, fewer Israelis are opting for buses and trains to commute to work. New data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), based on the 2025 Social Survey, reveals that only 16% of employed Israelis aged 20 and above use public transport for their commute, a decrease from 20% a decade ago. Conversely, the use of private or commercial vehicles for commuting has risen to 62% from 58% in the same period.

The decline in public transport usage is particularly pronounced in the Jerusalem district, where it dropped from 30% to 23% in ten years, and in the Central district, falling from 19% to 12%. Tel Aviv-Yafo sees 22% using public transport, down from 26%, while Haifa is at 18% (down from 21%). The Northern district and Judea and Samaria regions report even lower figures.

Bus usage nationwide has seen a continuous decline, with 50% of the population using buses in the past year, compared to 57% a decade ago. This trend is observed across most age groups, including a drop from 80% to 73% among young adults aged 20-24. While 52% of the public rate bus services positively, satisfaction varies significantly by city, with higher approval in Haifa, Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and Beersheba, and lower ratings in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Petah Tikva, and Ashdod.

Light rail services, operating in specific cities, show mixed results. Nationally, 43% of residents in cities with light rail find it meets their needs, but satisfaction is much higher in Jerusalem (50%) than in Tel Aviv-Yafo (28%). In contrast, Israel Railways reports a positive trend, with usage increasing to 44% from 39% a decade ago. Overall public satisfaction with the railway is high at 66%, with actual passengers reporting even greater satisfaction with service reliability, information clarity, and cleanliness.

A significant digital divide exists in public transport services. While 57% of those aged 20-49 find online services like schedules and payment convenient, this figure drops to 38% for those aged 50-64 and a mere 38% for those 65 and older, with many in the latter group unfamiliar with or finding these services irrelevant.