Dan Bus Company Acquires Tnupha for $40 Million, Plans Electrification
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Dan bus company has officially acquired Tnupha for approximately 150 million shekels, pending regulatory approval, with operations in Samaria and the Jerusalem corridor expected to begin in January 2027. Dan plans to electrify a significant portion of Tnupha's routes within two years, requiring new infrastructure development in the Samaria region. Tnupha had previously received the lowest performance score among operators and faced substantial fines and driver complaints.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dan officially acquired Tnupha for approximately 150 million shekels, pending regulatory approval.
- Dan aims to begin operations in Samaria and the Jerusalem corridor by January 2027.
- Dan plans to electrify a significant portion of Tnupha's routes within two years.
- New charging infrastructure will be built in Beit Shemesh and Rahalim for electric buses.
- Tnupha received the lowest performance score among operators and incurred substantial fines.
- Mayor of Ariel, Yair Shtabbon, expects Dan to bring significant improvements to public transport.
The acquisition of Tnupha bus company by Dan, valued at approximately 150 million shekels (about $40 million), has been officially finalized after months of negotiations and internal disagreements within Tnupha. The deal now awaits regulatory approval, but all parties aim to commence Dan's operations in the Jerusalem corridor and the Samaria region as early as January 2027. Dan plans to significantly electrify Tnupha's routes within two years, introducing Hager electric buses similar to those used in the "Fast Lanes" project. However, current infrastructure in Samaria is insufficient, prompting Dan to plan new infrastructure and build electric charging depots in Beit Shemesh and Rahalim. Company employees are already assessing existing infrastructure.
Tnupha, which operated routes in the Jerusalem corridor and Samaria, has faced widespread complaints and received the lowest performance score among all operators in the second half of 2025, according to the Ministry of Transport's semi-annual report. By the end of 2025, the company had incurred fines totaling around 78 million shekels. Two months prior, over 400 drivers threatened a warning strike over severe bus maintenance issues and uncertainty regarding salary payments.
Residents of Samaria are expressing hope for improved public transportation under Dan's management. Yair Shtabbon, Mayor of Ariel, stated that the sale is important news but only the beginning, emphasizing that residents deserve reliable and quality public transport. He expects the new company to bring tangible changes and pledged continued oversight to ensure these improvements are realized.
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