Israel Removes Major Public Transport Reform From Knesset Agenda Over Sabbath Concerns

A significant public transportation reform known as the Metropolitan Reform, approved by the Knesset's Economic Committee for second and third readings, was removed from the Knesset plenum agenda on Tuesday. The reform aims to transfer extensive public transport authority from the Ministry of Transportation to local municipalities. However, ultra-Orthodox parties opposed the move, fearing it could threaten the Sabbath status quo in the future, despite assurances that the law prohibits public transport operation on the Sabbath or changes to the current situation.

The reform's approval process was marked by disputes, notably over who would lead the new metropolitan authorities. A compromise proposed that the national public transport authority's director would head the Gush Dan metropolitan area for an interim period of 18 months, after which a representative from Tel Aviv would take over, followed by elections among member municipalities. The Ministry of Transportation opposed this, wanting the national authority to retain control for three years, causing delays and political complexity.

The Gush Dan metropolitan area includes Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, Holon, Bat Yam, Givatayim, Herzliya, and Ramat Hasharon, with Rishon Lezion and Kiryat Ono expected to join later. Bnei Brak expressed concern over having only about 13% voting power, fearing decisions would be dominated by neighboring municipalities. Beit Shemesh requested exclusion from the law due to concerns about Jerusalem's dominance in the Jerusalem metropolitan area and was granted exemption. Mevaseret Zion was also excluded, replaced by Tzur Hadassah, while Rekhas joined the Haifa metropolitan area.

Separately, the Economic Committee approved repealing the "Parking Law Amendment," restoring private parking fees to be charged by the hour and then by quarter-hour increments. This change is expected to take effect within four months of the law's publication.

With the Metropolitan Reform removed from the plenum agenda, its future advancement depends on reaching agreements between the coalition and ultra-Orthodox parties to address Sabbath status quo concerns.