The Knesset Economic Committee on Tuesday approved, for second and third readings, a government bill to create metropolitan public transportation authorities. The reform would shift many powers over buses, routes, schedules, infrastructure and enforcement from the central government to regional bodies that know local needs better, starting with Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, and later Beersheba.
The idea has been discussed for 30 years, since 1996, but repeatedly stalled over disputes between ministries about how to advance it and which parliamentary body would handle it. The bill was split out of the Arrangements Law last year, committee discussions began last month, and approval came only after agreement was reached, including on the first chair of the metropolitan council. The new system will begin in Tel Aviv, designated the main city in the metropolitan area. By the end of 2028, that authority will cover Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Holon, Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, Herzliya, Givatayim, Ramat HaSharon and Kiryat Ono, and on 1 January 2029 Rishon LeZion will formally join. Jerusalem’s metro area will include Abu Ghosh, Mateh Yehuda, Kiryat Ye’arim and Tzur Hadassah, while Haifa’s will also include Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Ata, Tirat Carmel, Nesher, Rechasim and the Zebulun Regional Council.
Under the law, metropolitan councils will bring together mayors and state representatives, with voting weights based on transport-related and other criteria, and in some cases requiring a special majority so one city cannot dominate. The Transport Ministry will still set overall policy, while a national authority will supervise the new bodies. The reform also leaves one major issue unresolved, public transportation on Shabbat.
MK Yorai Lahav Hertzanu said the change is not complete as long as the authorities cannot operate on weekends, though he welcomed committee chairman David Bitan and the other partners. Transportation Minister Miri Regev called it “a significant day for public transportation in Israel” and said that after more than three decades the state is advancing a move that will bring decisions closer to the public. Transport Ministry director general Moshe Ben Zaken said the new model will support data-driven planning and closer cooperation with local authorities. Lobby 99, which has pushed the bill for years, and the “Redirecting” coalition of nine civil society organizations also welcomed the agreement and said only final approval in the plenum remains.
