Tel Aviv's Savidor Station to Become Israel's Largest Transit Hub

Savidor Station in Tel Aviv is slated to undergo a major transformation, aiming to become Israel's largest and most complex transportation hub. A planning committee has recommended advancing plans for an integrated transport complex, which is projected to serve approximately 55,000 passengers during peak morning hours. Alongside transit facilities, the project includes plans for around 700,000 square meters of space for employment, residential, commercial, and hotel use. The initiative is being advanced by NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd. and designed by HQ Architects, covering an area of about 260 dunams. The existing Israel Railways station will remain at the core, surrounded by an expanded system allowing seamless transfers between trains, metro, light rail, and buses within a short walking distance.

The revamped station will integrate several key transportation systems. Israel Railways will continue operations, the Red Line of the light rail is already active, the Purple Line is under construction, and the M1 metro line is planned to pass through the area. Additionally, new lines for the Fifth and Sixth tracks along the Ayalon Highway and a large bus terminal are planned. A significant change involves moving the electric bus terminal underground to serve urban, metropolitan, and inter-city routes, freeing up street-level space for pedestrians, cyclists, and public areas. The planned terminal station for the Purple Line will also be relocated underground to improve connections with the metro and other train lines. The plan incorporates underground passages, bicycle parking, and passenger services.

Roadway modifications are also part of the plan, including the cancellation of an entrance ramp to Ayalon South from Ha'Parashat Drakim Street and the addition of public transport lanes. Preliminary metro work in the area has already begun, but the full construction of the center depends on the coordination of multiple systems and will necessitate temporary traffic arrangements in an already congested area. The substantial real estate component includes approximately 700,000 square meters for employment, commerce, residences, and hotels. Its improved accessibility could boost demand for offices and retail, benefiting developers by allowing denser construction. However, this could intensify competition in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan's office markets. Metro taxes are expected to capture some of the value increase, potentially affecting the economic viability of new projects.

Ideas for the Ayalon Highway include partially covering sections to create urban continuity between Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan, adding public spaces, and improving pedestrian crossings. Savidor was chosen over other locations like HaShalom station due to its capacity and connectivity. The plan is still in its design phase, with recommendations set for discussion by the National Planning and Building Council in November, followed by public review. The large-scale metro tenders, worth tens of billions of shekels, are progressing, with major construction companies involved. The primary challenge will be executing the construction while the station and terminals continue to serve hundreds of thousands of passengers daily, requiring precise planning to minimize service disruptions.