Israel Launches Water Taxi Service on Sea of Galilee to Ease Traffic

Israel is set to introduce a new water taxi service on the Sea of Galilee, marking the first time such a system will operate in the country. The initiative, promoted by Transportation Minister Miri Regev in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Tourism, aims to connect various points around the lake using small water taxis that can carry up to four passengers each. This service is designed to reduce road congestion around the lake and offer a faster, unique alternative to land travel.

The water taxis will operate on routes covering the Sea of Galilee from north to south and east to west, providing quicker transit between locations that currently require up to an hour or more by car. The full circumference of the lake is approximately 60 kilometers, and the water taxi service is expected to significantly cut travel times on some routes, potentially halving them depending on conditions.

The service will be integrated into the public transportation system, with fares comparable to bus or train rides and accessible via the national Rav-Kav smart card. Initially launching only on the Sea of Galilee, there are plans to consider expanding the model to other tourist destinations such as Eilat. This project reflects broader efforts to utilize Israel’s water resources for transportation and tourism while alleviating traffic pressures on surrounding roads.