Israelis Shun Public Transport Despite Infrastructure Investment

Despite years of efforts and significant investment to encourage Israelis to use public transportation over private cars, its popularity has declined. A recent survey by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reveals a drop in regular public transport usage among adults over the past decade. In 2025, only 50% of Israelis aged 20 and over used buses in the preceding 12 months, a decrease from 57% in 2015. This represents a 7 percentage point decline, occurring even as the population and transport infrastructure expanded.

The trend is also evident in commuting patterns. The proportion of working Israelis using public transport for their commute has fallen from approximately 20% to 16% over the same period. The vast majority, over 60%, continue to prefer private or commercial vehicles, with about 12% using buses and minibuses, and 4% using trains. Even in the central region, public transport's share among workers dropped from about 19% to 12%, and in Jerusalem, from 30% to 23%.

While Israelis generally rate the condition and accessibility of bus stops favorably (82% satisfied with location, 71% with comfort and condition), significant dissatisfaction exists regarding travel time and predictability. Only 56% find the journey duration acceptable, and just 31% are satisfied with the frequency of intercity routes, with Tel Aviv at 29%.

The primary advantage of private cars remains the ability to control travel times independently of public transport schedules. Although cost is a factor, it is not the sole determinant. The perceived benefits of lower fares are diminished by long waits, transfers, and extended travel times associated with public transport. Research indicates that while fares influence choices, convenience and predictability are paramount for car owners, suggesting that fare reductions alone are insufficient to shift ingrained habits.