3 years of the Red Line: travel time reduced and extension work begins

The Red Line of the light rail in Gush Dan marks three years of operation today, Tuesday. Alongside data indicating 76 million trips since the launch, work has begun to extend the line south to Rishon LeZion, a move intended to connect additional neighborhoods to the mass transit network.

Three years after its inauguration in August 2023, Red Line data shows an average of about 3 million trips per month. In the past year, there was a 10% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same period prior, excluding war days. The busiest stations are Yehudit, Ben Gurion, Allenby, Abba Hillel, and Shaul HaMelech, located near central employment hubs.

Travel time from end to end, which stood at 90 minutes at launch and drew initial criticism for the system's slowness, has been reduced to approximately 63 minutes. Train frequency is once every six minutes at ground level and once every three minutes underground, with the operator, Tevel, reporting 95% punctuality. An internal survey shows that 42% of passengers would have chosen a private car if not for the train, while 88% report satisfaction with the service.

Alongside summarizing the first years, NTA has begun work to extend the Red Line to Rishon LeZion. The plan includes adding four new stations, the last of which will connect to the Israel Railways "Moshe Dayan" station and the Green Line, which is currently under construction.

In addition to routine transport, the underground infrastructure has recently served security needs. During Operation "Lion's Roar," underground stations were opened in coordination with security authorities to serve as protected spaces for thousands of Gush Dan residents.

Minister of Transport Miri Regev stated that the Red Line has become part of the daily life of millions:

"We continue, as part of the connectivity vision, to connect Israel, with the extension of the line to Rishon LeZion and with a public transport network that will allow more people to get to work and studies easily."

Ministry of Transport Director General Moshe Ben Zaken claimed the increase in passengers testifies to public trust in the system. NTA Chair Yodefet Afek-Arzi explained that the company will continue to improve service and reduce travel times, with an emphasis on the Bat Yam-Tel Aviv section. NTA CEO Itamar Ben Meir noted that the system is vital national infrastructure, while Tevel CEO Amiram Ohayon added that the tens of thousands of citizens choosing the train over private cars prove the value of efficient public transport.