Tel Aviv to Transform with 7km of New Public Transit Lanes by 2027

Tel Aviv is set to undergo a significant transportation overhaul by 2027, with the addition of approximately 7 kilometers of new public transportation lanes. This initiative aims to reduce bus travel times, enhance service reliability, and make public transit a more attractive alternative to private vehicles. The city plans to achieve a 25% improvement in bus travel speed, a 50% increase in service reliability, and a 30% rise in public transit usage within the next two years. Currently, Tel Aviv has about 75 kilometers of dedicated public transit lanes, which will be expanded by an additional 7 kilometers by 2027. New lanes are planned for key streets including Dizengoff, Rothschild, Yitzhak Sadeh, and HaYarkon. Further lanes are designated for Rokach Boulevard, Pinchas Rosen Street, and the exit from Savidor Terminal to Begin Road. A notable example of the program's success can be seen on Kaplan Street, where a traffic arrangement prioritizing buses has led to a roughly 70% improvement in bus speeds and an 8-minute reduction in travel time between HaShalom train station and Dizengoff Center. The city is also working to improve connections between Israel Railways, the light rail, and bus routes. A new campaign, "Travel Yourself," has been launched to encourage residents to use public transport. Meital Lehavi, Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo for Transportation and Road Safety, stated that while the state currently holds authority over public transit planning and operation, the municipality has established a professional unit to proactively shape the city's transportation services. She emphasized the need for the city to manage transitional solutions and prepare the public for future systems, including the anticipated establishment of a metropolitan authority that would transfer full authority to local municipalities.