Only 300,000 of 3 Million Eligible Use Israel’s Transportation Justice Discount
Israel’s “Transportation Justice” reform offers a 50% discount on public transport fares to over 3 million residents of socioeconomically disadvantaged peripheral areas. However, data from the Ministry of Transport presented to the Knesset’s Economic Committee in December 2025 reveals that only about 300,000 people have actually utilized this discount. In contrast, over 600,000 elderly citizens have redeemed their full fare exemption, which requires only presenting an ID and was supported by a strong publicity campaign.
The disparity stems from the complexity of accessing the geographic discount, which demands creating a user profile, submitting documents, and sometimes a notarized affidavit. Additionally, the discount only applies after surpassing a monthly spending threshold, requiring low-income users to pay upfront for weeks before benefiting. This contrasts with the elderly discount, which applies from the first ride.
Statistics from the Central Bureau of Statistics show that the growth in monthly travel card usage slowed sharply to 1.4% in 2025, down from about 7% the previous year, indicating the reform has not met its usage goals. The reform also excludes certain vulnerable groups such as alimony recipients and unemployment benefit claimants, who are not eligible despite similar economic hardship.
The “Transportation Justice” reform faces criticism for bureaucratic barriers and limited reach, especially for those who travel infrequently for essential needs like medical care or job interviews. The fare for urban travel rose 45% under the current government, from 5.5 to 8 shekels, and funds originally allocated to expand routes were redirected to cover discounts.
Advocates propose three key fixes: automatic eligibility verification via data sharing between the National Insurance Institute and the Ministry of Transport, expanding eligibility to alimony and unemployment benefit recipients, and applying discounts from the first ride rather than after a monthly spending cap. These changes aim to close the gap between eligibility and actual use, ensuring the reform fulfills its promise of equitable access to transportation.
The next government will face pressure to implement these reforms, as the current system benefits only a fraction of those entitled, challenging the reform’s name and goals. The report was authored by attorney Beki Cohen-Keshet of the Forum for the Fight Against Poverty.
