Israel Approves NIS 2.5 Billion Tender for Shfela Electric BRT Network
Israel approved a NIS 2.5 billion tender for the Shfela electric BRT network, connecting central cities by 2028 and introducing 24-meter bi-articulated buses.
The special tender committee at the Public Transportation Authority has approved publishing a tender to select a franchisee for operating a 30-kilometer electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in the Shfela region, valued at NIS 2.5 billion for a ten-year period. Netivei Ayalon, which is managing the works that began in 2025, aims to launch the service in mid-2028.
Network Routes and Capacity
The new electric transit network will connect Kiryat Ekron, Rehovot, Ness Ziona, Rishon LeZion, and Tel Aviv, and is projected to serve approximately 110,000 passengers daily. According to the tender, the initial phase will include two blue BRT lines running from the Bilu Terminal to the Alifelet/Lohamim area in Rehovot and from the Bilu Terminal to the Shapirim Park-and-Ride facility, as well as the western section of the Brown Line running from the Tzrifin Terminal to the Alef Compound in western Rishon LeZion. An eastern section of the Brown Line is planned for a future stage, alongside complementary and expanded existing lines.
Fleet Requirements and Innovation
Weekly mileage across all BRT and complementary lines is projected at approximately 216,000 kilometers, operating on dedicated public transportation lanes with traffic light priority. Following criticism regarding a year-long delay in selecting a specific vehicle model, the state decided that the winning operator will be responsible for procuring the buses according strict tender requirements rather than the state choosing the vehicle beforehand.
"The winning operator will be required to supply electric vehicles meeting stringent specifications, including introducing 24-meter bi-articulated buses for the first time on a large scale in the central region," stated transit officials.
The tender includes NIS 40 million annually allocated to the franchisee for service enhancements, with the winner required to invest a matching amount alongside public and municipal outreach. Furthermore, bidding companies must present three distinct design alternatives for the electric buses to be voted on by the public and local authorities. Gradual deployment is scheduled to begin with test runs and initial operations of the Blue Line and western Brown Line in 2028, leading to full commercial operation by 2029.
