New Transport Hub Opens Near Tel Aviv to Ease Traffic Congestion

Starting Sunday, drivers will have a new, free option to bypass some of the traffic heading into Tel Aviv. A new transportation complex has opened in Rishon LeZion, designed to reduce the number of cars entering the city's congested areas. Drivers can leave their vehicles at one of 3,500 parking spots and transfer to shuttle buses that will run every five minutes during peak hours. The complex, located in western Rishon LeZion, is the second phase of a rapid lane project, following a similar park-and-ride facility in Shefayim.

The 140,000-square-meter, four-story complex includes 3,500 parking spaces, approximately 350 charging stations for electric vehicles, and 500 bicycle spots, along with a dedicated bike path. Parking is free. The facility is primarily aimed at residents of the Shefela and southern regions, allowing them to park before entering Tel Aviv and continue their journey via public transport. Four free shuttle routes will connect the parking lot to major business and transport hubs in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, including Kirya, Sarona, Azrieli Center, Ichilov Hospital, Tel Aviv Savidor train station, the stock exchange area, and Menachem Begin and Yigal Allon streets.

The shuttle buses will operate from Sunday to Thursday, 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM. During morning and evening rush hours, they will run every five minutes, and every 15 minutes at other times. Each bus accommodates 44 passengers and is equipped with Wi-Fi and charging outlets. A similar system in Shefayim, with 7,000 parking spots and five shuttle routes, currently serves about 10,000 passengers daily, though significant traffic jams persist between Shefayim and Tel Aviv during peak hours.

This new complex is part of a larger rapid lane project spanning approximately 33 kilometers in each direction along the coastal highway and Highway 20, with an estimated total cost of 8 billion shekels. The next major phase is planned for 2027, when these rapid lanes are slated to open to private vehicles. Cars with three or more passengers will use them for free, while others will pay a toll ranging from 7.12 to 106.76 shekels, depending on traffic. Private vehicles will only be allowed if speeds remain above 70 km/h, and access may be temporarily restricted if public transport flow deteriorates. The project is expected to expand towards Netanya by the end of 2027, introducing reversible lanes that adjust direction based on traffic load.