Tel Aviv light rail up and running

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch passenger service on the Red Line light rail on 17 August, and passenger service started the following day at 05.40. 

 

The Red Line is 24km long (including a short branch) and is covered by three services: R1 Bat Yam (HaKomemiyut)–Petah Tikva; R2 Bat Yam–Kiryat Arye; R3 Elifelet–Kiryat Arye. Payment for travel is by the Rav Ko smart card with destination and number of passengers selected at platform ticket machines. There is almost no service on Saturdays (Shabbat), just 45’ from 21.30 in the evening. 

 

The NIS 18.6bn project, which includes an 11km subway under the city centre, was originally due to open in October 2021, but was delayed by the effects of the pandemic, and a change of concessionaire after the government lost confidence in the original consortium. The operation and maintenance of the line is in the hands of a consortium formed by local bus operator Egged and Shenzhen Metro with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. 

 

CRRC Changchun in China has supplied 90 double-ended 100% low-floor 34.8m trams that run in coupled sets and carry up 274 passengers in each car. Some fitting out work was carried out in Israel on cars 47-90. The contract includes maintenance for 16 years. The rolling stock meets the requirements of the Israel Security Agency.