Israel to Pilot 26-Meter Electric Bus in Haifa
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israel will pilot a 26-meter, three-articulation electric bus on Haifa's Metronit BRT system starting next month. The bus, capable of carrying 160 passengers, is being tested for potential expansion of the country's BRT network. The pilot aims to assess the vehicle's performance on existing routes and its suitability for future high-capacity transit lines. Several other BRT projects are also underway across Israel, including lines connecting cities in the central region and a planned route in Eilat.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 26-meter, three-articulation electric bus will be piloted on Haifa's Metronit BRT system starting next month.
- The bus, manufactured by China's CRRC, can carry up to 160 passengers and has a 765 kWh battery.
- The pilot program will assess the feasibility of procuring the larger bus for additional BRT lines planned by the Ministry of Transportation.
- BRT lines are being developed as a more affordable alternative to light rail, though with lower passenger capacity.
- Several other BRT projects are in various stages of planning and construction across Israel, including lines in the central region and Eilat.
A pilot program for the largest electric bus ever to arrive in Israel will commence next month on the Metronit bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Haifa. The trial, expected to last about a year, will test the 26-meter, three-articulation bus, manufactured by China's CRRC and imported by Auto Chen, for potential procurement for additional BRT lines planned by the Ministry of Transportation.
This new bus model, EU25, is significantly longer than the current 18.75-meter limit for articulated buses and is designed to carry up to 160 passengers emission-free. Its extended length and three-joint design will be evaluated on the Metronit routes, which are typically designed for shorter vehicles. The bus is equipped with two electric motors providing a combined 952 horsepower and a 765 kWh battery capacity from CATL.
Auto Chen Mobility won a tender earlier this year from the National Public Transport Authority to test BRT and high-capacity public transport solutions in Israel. BRT lines are presented as a more affordable alternative to light rail, requiring only dedicated lanes rather than tracks, leading to faster and cheaper construction. However, their capacity is considerably lower than light rail, with BRT typically handling around 6,000 passengers per hour compared to light rail's 25,000. The new bus aims to bridge this gap.
The Ministry of Transportation is advancing several other BRT projects, including the Blue Line connecting Rehovot, Ness Ziona, and Rishon LeZion to Tel Aviv, slated for opening in 2029. The Brown Line, also around 30 km, will link Rishon LeZion, Be'er Ya'akov, Ramla, and Lod, with construction underway and an expected opening in late 2028 or 2029. The Orange Line, planned for the West Bank, will connect the Rachalim terminal through Ariel to Petah Tikva, connecting to the Kiryat Aryeh train station and the Red Line of the light rail, with operations not expected before 2029. Eilat is also planning its first Metronit/BRT line to connect the city to Ramon Airport, though a previously promised 2027 opening is delayed.
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