Israel Sees Decline in Public Transport Use Despite Infrastructure Investment
Despite significant government investment in expanding public transportation infrastructure, a recent study by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveals a notable decline in its usage over the past decade. The data indicates that while the population has grown and transport networks have expanded, fewer Israelis are opting for buses, trains, and light rail. In 2025, only 50% of Israelis over 20 used a bus at least once in the past year, down from 57% in 2015. This trend is even more pronounced for daily commutes, with the percentage of working Israelis using public transport for work dropping from approximately 20% in 2015 to about 16% in 2025, while private vehicle use has increased.
The decline is particularly evident in the country's center and in Jerusalem, where the introduction of new light rail lines has not reversed the trend. The survey, which polled 6,452 individuals representing 6.3 million residents, highlights that a significant portion of the adult population no longer considers buses a regular mode of transport. While younger demographics show higher usage rates, this decreases with age and car ownership.
User satisfaction surveys indicate that while Israelis are generally pleased with the proximity of bus stops and the condition of buses, major dissatisfaction stems from travel time and frequency. Only 56% of bus users feel they can reach their destination within an acceptable time, and satisfaction with intercity bus frequency is low, especially in Tel Aviv. This suggests that the primary deterrent is not the initial convenience of reaching a stop, but the overall journey time and predictability compared to private cars.
In contrast, Israeli railways show improved performance, with usage increasing from 58% to 66% positive evaluations over the decade. This suggests Israelis are willing to use public transport when it offers clear advantages in speed, route, and reliability, particularly for longer intercity travel. However, trains do not solve the "last mile" problem, requiring connections that often lead back to cars or less efficient local transport.
The article concludes that the decline in bus ridership creates a negative feedback loop, potentially leading to reduced service frequency and further discouraging use. While financial incentives can influence behavior, they are insufficient if the overall travel time remains significantly longer than driving. The key to increasing public transport adoption lies in creating an integrated network that offers high frequency, short travel times, reliability, and convenient connections, operating when people need it, including evenings and weekends.
