New Transport Hub in Rishon LeZion Offers Free Shuttles to Tel Aviv

A new transportation complex in Rishon LeZion, west of the city, is set to open on Sunday, October 2nd, 2026. The facility is designed to allow drivers coming from the south and the Shephelah region to leave their private vehicles and continue their journey into Tel Aviv's employment and entertainment zones via free shuttle buses. The complex offers 3,500 parking spaces.

Four free shuttle routes will connect the hub to major employment centers in Tel Aviv. Route 861 will serve the Kirya, Sarona, and Azrieli Center. Route 862 will go to the Bourse area and Savidor Station. Route 863 will reach the Begin and HaMesger areas, while Route 864 will serve the Yigal Alon area. The shuttle service will operate Sundays through Thursdays from 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM. Each shuttle bus has 44 seats and is equipped with Wi-Fi and charging ports.

This initiative is part of the "Fast Lanes" project, a large-scale infrastructure undertaking spanning approximately 33 kilometers in each direction along Highway 2 and Road 20. The project includes two major transport complexes, one in Rishon LeZion and another in Shefayim to the north. The total cost of the Fast Lanes project is estimated at NIS 8 billion, covering its construction and 15 years of operation, with the concessionaire investing approximately NIS 3.5 billion.

Despite the new facility, significant traffic congestion between Shefayim and Tel Aviv during peak hours has persisted. Future phases of the project, planned for 2027, include opening the fast lanes to private vehicles with three or more passengers for free, utilizing a technological system for automatic passenger counting. However, initial trials of this system showed less than 90% accuracy. Drivers not meeting occupancy requirements may face tolls, potentially up to NIS 107 per trip, depending on congestion levels. Also in 2027, reversible lanes, whose direction will change based on traffic flow, are scheduled to open along sections of Highway 2.

The Rishon LeZion and Shefayim transport complexes are operated and maintained by the concessionaire "Nativ La'Ir," through the "Dan Netivim" company, part of the Dan Transportation group.