Israel Launches Major Public Transport Upgrade With Free Rapid Shuttles
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- New transport hub in Rishon LeZion opens with free, frequent shuttles to Tel Aviv.
- Project aims to reduce traffic congestion and offer alternative to private cars.
- Four new public transport lines run every 5-15 minutes.
- Hub includes 3,500 parking spots and EV charging stations.
- Future phases include HOV and reversible lanes starting in 2027.
- Total project cost estimated at 8 billion shekels.
Israel's Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, and the Ayalon Highways and Netiv Le'ir companies have launched the second phase of the "Fast Lanes" project, inaugurating a new transportation hub in Rishon LeZion and the northern Ayalon Highway fast lane on Sunday, October 4, 2026. This expansion allows residents of the Shephelah and southern regions to travel quickly and for free to business and leisure centers in Tel Aviv-Yafo.
The new hub in Rishon LeZion, located in the western part of the city, offers four dedicated public transport lines that bypass traffic congestion. These lines will run every five minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak times, serving key Tel Aviv areas including the Kirya, Sarona, Azrieli Center, the Stock Exchange area, Savidor, Begin-HaMesger, and Yigal Allon.
The Rishon LeZion hub provides approximately 3,500 parking spaces, 350 charging stations for electric vehicles, and 500 bicycle parking spots, connected by a dedicated cycle path. Transport Minister Miri Regev stated that this initiative offers a viable alternative to private vehicles for southern residents, enabling them to park and take a free, frequent, and convenient shuttle to Tel Aviv.
This project is a significant step in a larger transportation initiative aimed at changing travel patterns into the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. The fast lanes, spanning about 33 kilometers in each direction along Coastal Road and Highway 20, are designed for dedicated shuttles and public transport, promising significant reductions in travel time. The shuttles operate weekdays from 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM, offering comfortable seating, WiFi, and charging ports.
Future plans include the opening of the fast lanes as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes (3+ passengers) in 2027, utilizing advanced technology for automatic passenger counting. Additionally, reversible lanes, which change direction based on demand, will be introduced starting in early 2027, with the first phase between Wingate Interchange and Shfayim Interchange, and a second phase extending further north later that year. The entire project, built using a Public-Private Partnership model, is estimated to cost around 8 billion shekels, covering construction and 15 years of operation.
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