Transport Minister Miri Regev Faces Setbacks as Key Promises Stall Amid Political Challenges
The Israeli Ministry of Transport, traditionally a powerful and high-profile government office, has seen many of its ambitious initiatives stall during Miri Regev's recent tenure as minister. Despite holding a large budget and political influence, Regev's term was marked by numerous unfulfilled promises aimed at reducing living costs and improving public services.
One of the most notable stalled projects was the planned introduction of Uber to Israel, announced in September 2025. The reform intended to allow any licensed driver to transport passengers for payment, increasing competition and lowering taxi prices. Although the bill passed its first reading in March 2026 with support from the Finance and Transport Ministries, it was blocked by taxi drivers who threatened strikes and political retaliation, citing concerns over legalizing unlicensed drivers, many from the ultra-Orthodox sector. The bill remains dormant but retains some opposition support.
Another major initiative was the establishment of a foreign airline operational center in Israel, led by low-cost carrier Wizz Air. This move aimed to boost competition and reduce flight costs by granting "fifth" and "seventh freedom" rights to foreign airlines. Despite initial progress and commitments from Wizz Air, the project was frozen following tensions after Operation "Roaring Lion," which delayed Wizz Air's return flights to Israel.
Other efforts included a proposed 1,000-shekel fine for using mobile phones while driving, which remains stalled due to concerns from the Justice Ministry about court overload and staffing. The Metropolitan Authorities Law, designed to decentralize public transport management to regional authorities, was repeatedly blocked by ultra-Orthodox parties fearing Sabbath service, despite clarifications. The ambitious "Connecting Israel" vision, featuring a high-speed train linking central Israel to peripheral cities and a double-decker Highway 6, remains largely conceptual due to high costs and planning delays.
Regev also pledged free public transportation if reappointed, a promise contrasting with a 45% fare increase during her term. While subsidies for rail and bus services are substantial, critics argue that service quality, frequency, and reliability need improvement more than price cuts. The Ministry stated that many infrastructure projects and reforms are underway or completed, negotiations with airlines continue, and legislative processes are progressing, but acknowledged that some initiatives depend on future government decisions and budgets.
