West Bank Mayors Demand State Takeover of Tanufa Bus Lines After Drivers’ Sudden Strike
On Monday, 400 bus drivers from Tanufa, operating in the West Bank and Jerusalem area, launched a sudden strike protesting poor bus maintenance and uncertainty over wages and employment conditions. In response, local leaders from the Samaria region sent a letter to Israel’s Ministry of Transportation demanding the state revoke Tanufa’s bus routes, accusing the company of ongoing failures and severe neglect. Ariel Mayor Yair Shitrit described the strike as the final straw after years of unresolved issues, noting that public transportation in Ariel collapsed as early as 6 a.m., well before the strike officially began at 10 a.m. He criticized the Ministry of Transportation for inaction despite repeated appeals since 2024, emphasizing the severe impact on thousands of residents, soldiers, and workers.
Shitrit and other municipal leaders from Judea, Samaria, and Beit Shemesh warned that Tanufa is on the brink of total collapse amid a looming labor dispute reportedly caused by the company’s inability to pay drivers. They cited Ministry of Transportation data showing hundreds of canceled trips in the latter half of 2024 and throughout 2025, with a projected 5% service failure rate in early 2026, significantly worse than other companies. Tanufa’s workers’ union, represented by the Histadrut, blamed poor bus maintenance for safety risks and financial difficulties affecting service quality. The union stated the strike aims to compel management to guarantee timely wage payments and social benefits.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation’s Public Transport Authority head, Idan Moalem, issued a reprimand to Tanufa, demanding the company maintain operational continuity, ensure driver safety, and fulfill wage obligations. He warned that failure to comply could result in fines and sanctions. The strike coincides with ongoing attempts to sell Tanufa, currently owned by Maya Tour, Eastlink Lanker, China Motors, and Shasha Group, who are embroiled in internal legal disputes possibly delaying the sale. Several buyers, including Metropoline (owned by Generation Fund), have expressed preliminary interest. Despite its relatively small size, Tanufa controls highly sought-after routes due to rapid population growth in the West Bank and Jerusalem and strategic locations near hospitals and industrial zones.
Tanufa responded that the pension fund issues prompting the strike have been fully resolved and that no disputes remain with the Histadrut. The company affirmed its commitment to investing resources to improve service availability and meet operational targets for passengers’ benefit.
