Tel Aviv Light Rail to Commence Operation Next Week; Will Not Run on Shabbos

After a series of setbacks and delays, the Tel Aviv Red Line light rail is finally set to commence operations next Friday, Aug. 18, following the issuance of the necessary safety certificate by a German inspection company for commercial activities.

Positioned as a vital transportation artery in the region, the Tel Aviv Red Line will traverse key areas of demand. Spanning a distance of 24 kilometers, the line stretches from Petach Tikva to Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv to Bat Yam, incorporating a total of 34 stations. The anticipated ridership is 234,000 passengers per day. A significant portion of the line, approximately 12 kilometers, will be underground, spanning from Schenker Station in Petach Tikva near the Geha interchange to Elifelet in Tel Aviv, adjacent to the railway park.

Marked as Israel’s most financially intensive infrastructure project to date, the construction of the line has incurred a cost exceeding NIS 18.7 billion, surpassing the initial estimated figures of NIS 10.7 billion upon project approval in 2010 and NIS 16.7 billion at the project’s commencement.

The upward trajectory in estimated costs can be attributed to construction delays, contractor compensation demands, as well as escalating living costs and interest payments. In Nov. 2022, the State Comptroller’s report underscored that the project’s expenses were higher compared to equivalent projects overseas.

The Tel Aviv Metropolitan region is concurrently progressing with the Purple and Green Lines, scheduled to open in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Furthermore, plans are in motion for the initiation of the Metro project in the upcoming years, which is expected to revolutionize transportation dynamics in the region.

It has been confirmed that the Tel Aviv Red Line light rail will not operate on Shabbos and chagim.

Urban planners are optimistic that this new initiative will alleviate congestion and enhance residents’ convenience.

Notably, the Red Line’s incorporation of Bnei Brak has emerged as a key justification for its operation.

The Red Line will encompass three lines: R1, spanning from Petach Tikva to Bat Yam (the full route); R2, connecting Kiryat Ari to Bat Yam (not operational during the initial launch); and R3, linking Kiryat Ari to Elifelet.

With six trains operating hourly in each direction on R1, and four trains per hour on R3, the underground section will experience the highest traffic density, with trains arriving every six minutes.

Initially estimated at 80 minutes from end to end, travel time is expected to improve over time. Notably, the underground section is projected to be relatively swift, requiring around 25 minutes to traverse the entire length. For instance, a passenger boarding at Elifelet station in South Tel Aviv will reach Savidor Tel Aviv central station in just 10 minutes.

However, in the above-ground segments, particularly in Bat Yam, travel times will be extended due to the train having only 70% priority at traffic lights. Furthermore, speed is contingent on surface-level occurrences, where car drivers and scooter riders may hinder or obstruct train movement.

In any case, forecasted patterns suggest that most passengers will predominantly utilize the underground section for rapid transit. Nevertheless, in Bat Yam and Yafo, especially during the initial phase until road users acclimate, the train is expected to travel at a slower pace.