Israel Offers Free Public Transport for Election Day
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
On October 27, 2026, Israel will offer free public transportation on election day. Intercity buses over 15 km and all trains will be free, while urban buses and shorter intercity routes will remain paid. Passengers need special tickets for trains and pre-registration for travel to Eilat. Many bus routes will run on a reduced schedule, with some cancellations. Passengers are urged to check specific route details and schedules in advance.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Intercity buses over 15 km and all Israel Railways trains will be free on election day, October 27, 2026.
- Urban bus routes and intercity trips under 15 km will remain paid.
- Passengers need special paper tickets for free train travel, not Rav-Kav cards or apps.
- Intercity bus routes will operate on a reduced schedule, with some cancellations.
- Pre-registration is required for free travel to and from Eilat.
- Service points for Rav-Kav cards will be closed, except at Ben Gurion Airport.
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Israel will hold Knesset elections, and public transportation will operate under a special schedule. Intercity buses on routes longer than 15 kilometers, if included in an approved list, and all "Rakkevet Israel" (Israel Railways) trains will be free of charge for all passengers, not just voters. This free travel period began Monday, October 26, at 8:00 PM and will continue until the end of service on election day. Passengers on free intercity bus routes will not need to present identification or purchase a ticket. For specific route information, the Ministry of Transport Information Center can be reached at *8787.
Urban bus routes, however, will remain paid, as will intercity trips under 15 kilometers. Passengers must pay and validate their fares as usual on these routes. All "Rakkevet Israel" train lines will be free, but passengers must obtain a special paper ticket from a machine or ticket office at the station, not use Rav-Kav cards or transport apps. Between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, train frequency will increase from two to three times per hour in each direction between 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM, with an additional train running between "Yitzhak Navon" station in Jerusalem and "Tel Aviv HaHagana" station. Due to police instructions, passenger numbers on Jerusalem-bound trains may be regulated, requiring a special travel voucher and pre-booking.
Travel to and from Eilat has a separate procedure requiring pre-registration and a special ticket obtained from "Egged" ticket offices after meeting specific residency conditions. Passengers should contact "Egged" at *2800 for this service. Most intercity bus routes will operate on a reduced schedule, with some routes canceled entirely, including school services. Passengers are advised to check their specific route schedules, as operators like "Metropolin" have published lists of canceled services in various regions. All "Al HaKav" service points will be closed on election day, except for the one at Ben Gurion Airport. Passengers needing to top up Rav-Kav cards or get assistance should do so in advance.
Before traveling, passengers should verify if their chosen bus route is free, its operating schedule, and if a special ticket or voucher is required. The National Public Transport Directorate's portal and the Ministry of Transport's information center are key sources for information.
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