Israel Offers Free Public Transport on Election Day
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
Israel's Central Elections Committee is offering free intercity public transportation on election day, starting Monday evening and continuing through election day. The benefit includes approximately 660 intercity bus routes and all Israel Railways lines, excluding urban transport. Passengers on Israel Railways must obtain a special paper ticket, while bus passengers can board freely. The initiative is expected to cost NIS 3.5 million and aims to increase voter turnout.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Free intercity public transport in Israel will be available on election day, starting Monday evening.
- The benefit covers about 660 intercity bus routes and all Israel Railways lines.
- Passengers on Israel Railways need to get a special paper ticket from stations.
- Urban buses, light rail, and other local transit will not be free.
- The initiative is expected to cost NIS 3.5 million and boost voter turnout.
- Special arrangements are in place for travel to and from Eilat.
Israel's Central Elections Committee has announced that all intercity public transportation will be free of charge for the general public on Election Day for the 26th Knesset, scheduled for next Tuesday. The free travel period will commence on Monday, October 26, at 8:00 PM, and will continue until the end of public transportation services on election day. This benefit applies to approximately 660 intercity bus routes longer than 15 kilometers, an increase from the 600 routes eligible in the previous election in 2022, as well as all Israel Railways lines. However, urban buses, light rail, the Metronit, and the Carmelit will remain at their regular fares. To determine if a specific intercity route is included, individuals can contact the Ministry of Transportation's information center at *8787. For intercity buses, boarding will be free without the need for identification or Rav-Kav validation. For Israel Railways, passengers must obtain a special paper ticket from ticket offices or machines at the station, and should avoid using loaded Rav-Kav cards or transport apps to prevent unintended charges. To accommodate expected demand, three trains per hour in each direction will operate on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv line between 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM on election day, an increase from the usual two. Some of these additional trains will start and end their journeys at Tel Aviv HaHagana station. Additionally, due to police-imposed restrictions on passenger numbers to and from Jerusalem, a personal travel voucher for the desired train must be obtained in advance. Travel to Eilat is subject to different conditions, requiring eligibility checks based on residency and advance registration with Dan's information center at 2800*. The cost of this public benefit is estimated at NIS 3.5 million, funded by the Elections Committee through the Ministry of Transportation. In the previous election in November 2022, Israel Railways saw a 33% surge in passengers, a record expected to be broken this year.
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