Israel's Major Public Transport Reform Delayed Over Sabbath Concerns

The Metropolitan Authorities Reform Bill, a significant public transportation overhaul in Israel, was removed from the Knesset plenary agenda on Tuesday, postponing its second and third readings. The delay follows pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties worried that the reform could lead to Sabbath desecration. The reform aims to decentralize control from the Ministry of Transportation to local authorities, allowing them to manage bus routes, stops, and traffic signals directly, thereby reducing bureaucracy and improving service responsiveness to residents' needs.

Last month, the bill passed the Economics Committee for second and third readings, marking a critical step toward ending the current centralized system. Presently, any changes in public transport require Ministry approval, causing delays and disconnect from passenger demands. The reform aligns with practices in most major cities worldwide. During discussions, Finance Ministry representatives highlighted the economic cost of road congestion at 40 billion shekels annually, underscoring the reform's potential benefits.

It remains unclear when the bill will return to the Knesset for a vote, as negotiations continue amid the Sabbath observance concerns raised by the ultra-Orthodox parties.