New Park and Ride Facility Opens in Rishon LeZion to Ease Traffic

A new transportation hub in western Rishon LeZion, designed to reduce traffic congestion entering Tel Aviv, opened to the public on Sunday. The facility allows drivers from the Shfela and southern regions to leave their cars and continue into the metropolitan area via free shuttle buses. This opening marks the second phase of the "Fast Lanes" project, following the launch of a similar hub in Shefayim in April.

The Rishon LeZion hub spans approximately 140,000 square meters across four floors, offering 3,500 parking spaces for private vehicles, 350 charging stations for electric cars, and 500 bicycle parking spots, along with a dedicated bike path. Parking is free, with the aim of encouraging drivers to avoid continuing into congested Tel Aviv areas by private car.

Four electric shuttle lines will operate from the hub, connecting it to major employment, commercial, and transportation centers in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. These routes include stops at Azrieli Center, Sarona, Ichilov Hospital, Savidor Central Station, and along Menachem Begin and Yigal Allon boulevards. Shuttles will run Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM, with frequencies of every 5 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes otherwise. Each shuttle accommodates 44 seated passengers and offers WiFi and charging outlets.

The Rishon LeZion facility joins the Shefayim hub, which opened in April and has approximately 7,000 parking spaces and 5 shuttle lines, currently serving about 10,000 passengers daily. Despite these efforts, heavy traffic congestion persists on the route between Shefayim and Tel Aviv during peak times.

The "Fast Lanes" project, costing an estimated 8 billion shekels, covers about 33 kilometers in each direction along Coastal Road and Highway 20. It is being developed under a public-private partnership. In 2027, the fast lanes are expected to open to private vehicles with three or more passengers for free, while vehicles with fewer occupants will pay a toll ranging from 7.12 to 106.76 shekels, depending on traffic. Private vehicle access will be restricted if speeds drop below 70 km/h to prioritize public transport and shuttles.

Currently, only shuttles, intercity buses, and service taxis are permitted on the fast lanes. The Ministry of Transport is preparing to integrate urban feeder lines and intercity routes to the Shefayim and Rishon LeZion parking facilities. Further expansion is planned for 2027, including reversible lanes near Netanya.