Tel Aviv Central Bus Station Evacuation Faces Delays Amidst Planning Hurdles

The Ministry of Transportation announced a significant step towards evacuating Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station, following parliamentary approval to rezone land near Holon Junction for a new public transport terminal. This new terminal is planned to accommodate approximately 60% of the current bus station's operations, serving as a key component in its eventual closure. However, Tel Aviv's Deputy Mayor for Transportation, Meital Lehavi, expressed skepticism about the timeline, stating that the committee's approval does not guarantee immediate construction or building permits. She also pointed out that the new terminal will only handle 60% of the traffic, necessitating a further solution for the remaining operations. Lehavi anticipates that the Central Bus Station's evacuation will remain complex and distant, even with the Ministry's announcements. The new terminal is not expected to open until 2031 and is considered a temporary solution, intended to operate until a permanent center is established in the Ben Tzvi area of Holon. The Central Bus Station area was declared a polluted air zone in late 2022 due to heavy traffic emissions, primarily from diesel buses and service taxis, which release harmful particles and nitrogen oxides classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization.