New Free Shuttle Cuts Commute Time Significantly, But Lacks Connectivity
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
A new free shuttle service from Rishon Lezion to Tel Aviv significantly reduced travel time by 52 minutes compared to a private car in a test by Walla News. However, the service suffers from poor connectivity to surrounding areas and limited destinations within Tel Aviv, hindering its overall utility.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Free shuttle from Rishon Lezion to Tel Aviv cut travel time by 52 minutes.
- Shuttle completed the journey in 18 minutes versus 70 minutes for a car.
- Service lacks connections to surrounding communities and wider Tel Aviv destinations.
- The hub offers free parking, EV charging, and bike parking.
- The shuttle is part of a larger, expensive fast lanes project.
A new free shuttle service connecting Rishon Lezion's transportation hub to Tel Aviv has demonstrated a substantial time-saving potential, according to a test conducted by Walla News. The shuttle completed the journey in 18 minutes, while a private car took one hour and ten minutes, a difference of 52 minutes. The test involved two Walla reporters, Hodia Ran on the shuttle and Avichai Haim in a private car, departing around the same time for the Azrieli Center in Tel Aviv.
Despite the impressive speed of the shuttle itself, passengers and testers noted significant limitations. The primary issue is the lack of connectivity to the hub from surrounding communities and to further destinations within Tel Aviv, such as the northern parts of the city. One passenger from Gedera expressed that the extended travel time to reach the Rishon Lezion hub negated much of the time saved on the shuttle itself.
The Rishon Lezion hub, which offers 3,500 free parking spaces, charging stations for electric vehicles, and ample bicycle parking, currently lacks integration with public transport lines or nearby train stations. This means users must drive or cycle to the hub to utilize the shuttle service. While the shuttle connects to several employment centers in Tel Aviv, its reach is limited, requiring additional travel for those working outside its service areas.
The shuttle service is part of a larger, approximately 8 billion shekel ($2.1 billion) project by the Ministries of Transportation and Finance and Ayalon Highways, aimed at creating fast lanes. The first hub in this project opened in Shfayim in April and has seen its user numbers grow to around 10,000 daily. The Rishon Lezion hub operates Sunday to Thursday from 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM, with shuttles running every five minutes during peak hours and every fifteen minutes otherwise.
Future plans for the fast lanes include allowing private vehicles to enter for a variable toll starting in the first quarter of 2027, with restrictions to maintain public transport priority. Free access for vehicles with three or more passengers is also planned for later in the year. While the shuttle's speed is a clear advantage, its full potential is hampered by the need for better feeder services and expanded destination routes.