Netivot Gets New Rail Link

The city of Netivot in the Negev saw train services inaugurated to the central region on Sunday.

Netivot is the southernmost point on a route that extends from Tel Aviv via Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Yavne, Rishon Lezion, Bat Yam and Holon.

The line from Ashkelon to Sderot was opened in December 2013.

The region’s residents will be able to travel free in one direction for the first 90 days of service.

There are 20 trains scheduled in each direction daily (Sunday to Thursday) with travel time from Tel Aviv to Netivot listed at slightly over an hour.

The railway cars to Sderot and Netivot are especially reinforced to protect passengers from potential rocket fire from the nearby Gaza Strip.

Israel Railways is currently building onto the line further south and new stations will also open in Ofakim, for an eventual link-up with Be’er Sheva.

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the February 16th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.