Israel Sees Decline in Public Transit Use for Commutes

Despite significant investments in new trains, bus lanes, and fare reforms aimed at encouraging Israelis to use public transportation, data reveals a declining trend. The percentage of employed individuals commuting to work via public transit has dropped from approximately 20% in 2015 to about 16% in 2025, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics' social survey. Currently, over 60% of workers commute using private or commercial vehicles, including motorcycles, while only about 12% use buses or shared taxis, and roughly 4% use trains. The remaining commuters travel via organized shuttles, bicycles, scooters, walk, or work from home.

Overall bus ridership has also decreased. A decade ago, nearly 60% of adults aged 20 and above reported using buses at least once a year; by 2025, this figure has fallen to about half. Even among those aged 65 and older, bus usage declined from around 60% to nearly 50%. Younger demographics, particularly 20-24 year olds, still show higher bus usage, with almost three-quarters using it annually, but this reliance diminishes with age and car ownership.

The primary reasons for this shift are attributed to service quality. Less than half of bus passengers rate the service positively, and only a third are satisfied with the frequency of intercity routes in their area. Infrequent, delayed, or transfer-heavy bus services make private cars a more appealing option, even with higher costs and traffic congestion.

This trend is particularly pronounced in major metropolitan areas. In the central region, public transit commuting fell from about 19% a decade ago to 12% in 2025, despite the opening of the Red Line light rail. Jerusalem saw a decrease from 30% to 23%. Conversely, in the southern region, the proportion of commuters using private vehicles rose from half to over 60%.

This occurs even as road congestion worsens. Research from the Bank of Israel suggests that expanding roads in metropolitan areas often attracts more vehicles, leading to renewed congestion. Without a fast and reliable public transit alternative, road expansion offers only temporary relief. While overall public transit trips exceed 900 million annually, with 780 million on buses alone, this reflects increased population and more trips per person, not necessarily a growing share of commuters choosing public transit for work.

The cost of public transit has also increased, with a basic urban bus fare now around 9 shekels, up from 6 shekels previously. This price hike further erodes the cost advantage of buses for car owners. Train usage shows a slightly different picture, with about 45% of adults using trains at least once a year, though only 17% use them monthly. The Haifa district has the highest train usage at nearly 60%, compared to about a third in the north.