Free Public Transport Offered on Election Day, With Exceptions
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israel's Central Elections Committee approved free rides on intercity buses and Israel Railways on election day, October 27, excluding urban lines and specific routes like Eilat. The initiative aims to boost voter turnout, building on a similar program from the 2022 elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Free intercity bus and train travel approved for election day.
- Urban lines and specific routes like Eilat are excluded from the offer.
- Service runs from the evening before election day until services end.
- Previous elections saw a 33% rise in train passengers.
- The initiative costs the Elections Committee NIS 3.5 million.
Israel's Central Elections Committee has approved free public transportation on election day, October 27, for intercity bus lines and Israel Railways. This initiative expands upon the previous election in 2022, which offered free rides on 600 lines, compared to the 660 lines included this year. The free service will commence at 8:00 PM on Monday, October 26, and continue until the end of public transportation services on election day.
Passengers on intercity buses will be able to board without identification or tickets, provided their route is on the approved list. For Israel Railways, passengers will receive a special travel ticket at service counters or ticket machines at stations. Information on eligible bus routes is available via the Ministry of Transport's information center at 8787*.
However, the free travel benefit will not apply to all routes. Travel to and from Eilat, for instance, will require prior eligibility checks and pre-registration with Dan (formerly Egged) information centers at 2800*. Additionally, urban bus lines, light rail, the Metronit, and the Carmelit will operate under their regular fare system.
During the previous election on November 1, 2022, Israel Railways saw a 33% increase in passenger numbers, with 331,706 travelers compared to a typical day's 249,146. The cost of this year's free transportation initiative is estimated at NIS 3.5 million, funded by the Elections Committee and transferred to the Ministry of Transport.
