Fake Student IDs Fuel Discount Abuse on Israeli Public Transport

A new report reveals a thriving industry in fictitious student identification cards being used to obtain discounted public transportation fares in Israel, exploiting a recent reform designed to simplify access to these benefits. The "Transportation Justice" reform, implemented by the Ministry of Transportation, aimed to ease the financial burden of commuting, particularly for the ultra-Orthdox community, which relies heavily on public transport. However, it has inadvertently created a loophole for individuals to acquire fake student credentials without attending any academic classes.

The cost of daily travel for many in the ultra-Orthdox sector can amount to thousands of shekels annually, prompting a search for cost-saving measures. While the discount system for students has existed since 2004 and was formalized in 2007, recent structural adjustments within the reform expanded eligibility. These changes include a "youth profile" offering automatic discounts for ages 18-26, irrespective of academic enrollment, and additional benefits in economically disadvantaged areas. This combination can reduce annual travel costs from thousands to mere hundreds of shekels.

A recent investigation by the Free Israel movement found that this industry of fake student IDs continues to operate openly ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year. For a fee of approximately 200-250 shekels, individuals can obtain study certificates that grant significant public transport discounts, even without any intention of studying. Some educational institutions, which receive substantial state funding, are allegedly involved, alongside private brokers operating online.

The spokesperson for the Free Israel movement, a spokesperson for Free Israel, stated that "two years after the Ministry of Transportation announced it was working to close the loophole, it turns out that the industry of issuing student certificates for public transport discounts continues to operate almost unimpeded." She highlighted that two of the implicated institutions receive over 20 million shekels annually in public funds, questioning the state's continued funding of institutions that allegedly facilitate the exploitation of the discount system.

The report details how some institutions, particularly for ultra-Orthdox women, openly offer registration for various courses for around 200 shekels, providing instructions on how to update Rav-Kav profiles for student discounts without requiring physical attendance. Similarly, another institution offers a "student - I will choose a course later" option for 250 shekels. These organizations are registered non-profits that receive millions in government subsidies. The investigation also points to the exploitation of a "youth profile" for ages 18-21, originally intended for special education students, which is now being used by seminary students for increased discounts.

Free Israel is urging the Ministry of Transportation to take concrete action to close this loophole, emphasizing that public transport discounts are meant for eligible students, not as a source of illicit income for intermediaries at the public's expense. The Ministry of Transportation responded by stating that the National Public Transport Authority takes a serious view of any attempt to obtain discounts unlawfully and is working to prevent misuse of eligibility mechanisms, forwarding any cases of forgery or fraud to the appropriate authorities.