Israel Announces Tender for 2.5 Billion Shekel Metro Bus Network

A tender has been approved for the operation of a new metro bus network in Israel's Shfela region, connecting Rehovot to Tel Aviv and other cities. The special tender committee of the Public Transport Authority greenlit the tender, which is valued at 2.5 billion shekels over ten years. Netivei Ayalon, the state infrastructure company managing the project, anticipates the service will launch in mid-2028, with construction beginning in 2025.

The 30-kilometer network will link Kiryat Ekron, Rehovot, Ness Ziona, Rishon Lezion, and Tel Aviv, and is projected to serve approximately 110,000 passengers daily. Initially, the system will feature two "blue" metro bus lines: one from the Bilu terminal in Rehovot to the Lohamim terminal near Holon and Tel Aviv, and another from Bilu terminal to the Shfirim interchange park-and-ride. A western section of a "brown" line will also operate from the Tzrifin terminal to the Ha'elef complex in western Rishon Lezion, with an eastern section planned for a later stage. Additional bus routes will run concurrently, and existing lines will be expanded.

The total planned weekly mileage for all metro bus and supplementary routes is around 216,000 kilometers. The lines will utilize dedicated public transport infrastructure with signal priority at intersections. Following criticism regarding the delay in selecting vehicle types, the state will not specify a particular bus model in the tender. Instead, the winning bidder will be responsible for procuring rolling stock that meets the tender's requirements, necessitating pre-negotiations with electric bus manufacturers.