Israel Opens New Eastern Railway Line Connecting Arab Towns and Coastal Cities

Israel inaugurated a new railway line this Sunday, marking the first new passenger rail route since 2018 with the launch of the initial phase of the Eastern Railway project. The opening connected three new stations to the national network: Hadera East, Shomron-Taybeh, and Tira-Kokhav Ya'ir. Notably, the latter two are the first-ever train stations established in Arab communities. Travel from Hadera East to Tel Aviv now takes about one hour, requiring a transfer at Rosh HaAyin North station, with a maximum wait time of seven minutes according to Israel Railways.

Currently, the new line operates Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The infrastructure segment was constructed by Netivei Israel, but the electrification of the track remains incomplete, forcing trains to run on diesel engines. This limitation prevents direct access to the electrified Ayalon corridor and necessitates the transfer at Rosh HaAyin. The full project, extending to Lod and including stations at Elad, Shoham, and Kiryat Shde Airport, is expected to open next year.

Avner Flor, CEO of Israel Railways, emphasized the line's impact, stating it will significantly enhance connectivity and quality of life for hundreds of thousands in the region and millions nationwide. Hadera Mayor Nir Ben Haim called the launch a historic moment, highlighting the Eastern Railway as a regional growth engine that will strengthen Hadera, attract investment and jobs, and efficiently connect residents across Israel.