Israel to Launch 24-Meter Electric Buses on New BRT Network
Israel is preparing to introduce 24-meter, two-section electric buses as part of a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in the Shefela region. This initiative aims to create a high-speed public transportation system connecting Rehovot, Ness Ziona, Rishon Lezion, Kiryat Ekron, and Tel Aviv, projected to serve approximately 110,000 passengers daily. The tender for the network's operator has been approved, with a ten-year contract valued at around 2.5 billion shekels. The first passengers are expected in 2028, with the full system scheduled to launch in 2029.
The extended length of these buses, significantly longer than standard Israeli buses (around 18.75 meters for articulated buses), is designed to increase passenger capacity per trip without adding more vehicles to the road. This is crucial for the BRT system, which relies on dedicated infrastructure and traffic signal priority to ensure speed. A similar system, the "Metronit," operates in Haifa, but the Shefela network intends to integrate these long buses as a core component of regular service.
The initial phase will feature two "blue" lines and the western section of a "brown" line. The "blue" lines will connect Bilu terminal in Rehovot to Lohamim terminal near Tel Aviv and to the Shapirim Park and Ride facility. The "brown" line's western section will link Tzrifin terminal to Ha'elef complex in Rishon Lezion, with plans for future eastern expansion. The total BRT network will span approximately 30 kilometers.
The BRT's speed advantage stems from dedicated bus lanes and traffic signal priority, designed to minimize delays. Studies, including one analyzing 100 million trips in Santiago, suggest BRT corridors can increase average bus speeds by 15-20%. The system is expected to handle around 110,000 daily passenger trips, surpassing Haifa's Metronit system, which carries about 60,000 passengers on a typical workday. The project also includes expanding existing bus routes to feed into the BRT corridors, with a total weekly mileage of approximately 216,000 kilometers for BRT and feeder routes.
Instead of specifying a bus model, the tender requires the future operator to provide vehicles meeting technical specifications, encouraging collaboration with electric bus manufacturers. The 2.5 billion shekel budget covers the ten-year operational contract, including funds for service improvements, with the operator expected to invest matching funds. The public will also have a say in the buses' exterior design, choosing from three options presented by the winning bidder.
Infrastructure construction began in 2025, with "Netivei Ayalon," the responsible state company, targeting test rides and partial service launch in 2028. The full system launch is slated for 2029. This project aims to fundamentally alter urban travel in central Israel by offering a high-speed public transport alternative that is less susceptible to traffic congestion.
