Public transportation

Surviving Israeli public transport as an oleh

Diving headfirst into the chaos, terrors, and joys of the Israeli public transport system - or lack thereof - amid a heatwave and the temporary shutdown of Jerusalem's light rail.

The Jerusalem light rail is temporarily out of service, forcing commuters onto already crowded buses or scrambling for alternative ways to get around.
Women light the shabbat candles, in Tel Aviv, on June 20, 2025

What is Shabbat life like in the most populated Jewish municipalities?

View of the Israel Railways train near the southern Israeli city of Sderot, July 21, 2025.

From Tel Aviv to Haifa in 30 minutes: Israel Railways to launch high-speed line by 2029

 An IDF reservist kisses his child before boarding the bus, in Jerusalem, May 2025.

Grapevine: Israel-Iran: Days of yore


Rebuilding Jerusalem: Keeping up with the rapid changes in Israel's capital

In some cases, change has become so rapid that it is difficult when passing an empty storefront to remember what merchandise was sold from there as recently as a week ago.

 People are seen overlooking Jerusalem.

NGO: Travel is essential right, must be provided, even on Shabbat

Israel Hofsheet also demanded the particular provision of transport options to the around 150,000 Israelis stuck abroad after Israeli airspace was closed at the start of Operation Rising Lion.

 View of the almost empty Ben-Gurion Airport, after all flights were cancelled following an Israeli attack on Iran, June 13, 2025.

Beirut's new government moves to reboot Lebanon's public transport

Civil society leaders in Lebanon continue to advocate for equitable urban infrastructure despite decades of political inaction

 A view shows a rusted train at an old railway station in Beirut, Lebanon October 27, 2017.

A city in transit: Muddling through Jerusalem’s light rail construction

This isn’t just about inconvenience. It’s about how an entire city’s population – that of the capital, no less – has had to fundamentally restructure their lives overnight.

 Red Line service is suspended for 14 weeks on the heavily used stretch of light rail linking the city center to the Central Bus Station.

Grapevine: Huckabee's here

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 US Ambassador Mike Huckabee addresses the media outside the US Embassy in Jerusalem, May 9, 2025.

The road less traveled doesn’t exist: The future of Israel's traffic jams, public transport woes

It’s no secret to Israelis that our country has a transportation problem. But despite public awareness, it’s not getting any better.

 An illustrative image of slow-moving traffic on Israel's Ayalon Highway.

Israeli public transport fares to rise for second time in less than a year

Bus and train fares in Israel will significantly rise this Friday to fund the “Transportation Justice” reform, though the quality of public transport will remain low.

 Buses in central Jerusalem, February 12, 2025

Man steals a bus in Rehovot 'to get home for the Seder'

The man was arrested by police for driving recklessly and overturning a bus in a parking lot in central Israel.

 The bus that a resident of Shafir overturned in Rehovot on Saturday April 13, 2025.

Light rail, heavy headache: What Jerusalemites think of the light rail construction

The Red Line was suspended for five days this past week. Beyond the inconvenience, where do the municipality and Jerusalemites stand on construction of the new lines to come?

  Signage at a light rail stop in Jerusalem indicate that the line is closed due to expansion work.

Grapevine: Well wishes to Idan Amedi

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 ISRAELI ACTOR (‘Fauda’) and reserve soldier Idan Amedi, who was seriously wounded in the Gaza Strip, attends a press conference upon his release from the Sheba Medical Center in January.

No trains, only tests: Jerusalem Light Rail suspended for expansion

Starting on February 9, the light rail system will be required to conduct a series of safety tests in order to obtain the necessary permits to meet international regulations.

 Pisgat Ze'ev Center Mall and light rail station.