To the attention of Israelis and foreign tourists who intend to fly or arrive in the country in the last week of July, the Rakevet Israel company will stop train traffic on the line between Haifa and Ben Gurion Airport these days, according to NEWS.IsraelInfo.co.il
The railway will stop. communication between the north and the central and southern regions of the country. But special difficulties will arise for those who are going abroad.
“Rakevet Israel” reported that in connection with the work on the coastal line of the railway from July 24, the movement of trains is stopped for a week. It will resume on the morning of July 31st.
This is the Eastern Track project, which will create an additional 65 km track along the sea coast from the Pardes Khana area to the airport and Lod. The Railway Company promises that the creation of an alternative gauge will significantly improve the system of goods transportation, reduce the load on roads, air pollution and increase safety on the railway.
Apparently, this is not the last long train stop this summer. The railway company emphasizes that they deliberately chose the summer months for work, as passenger traffic decreases during this period.
Instead, the Department of Transportation is stepping up bus service to the coast and to the airport. “Rakevet Israel” also organize “shuttle” transportation in these directions. Those who are going abroad will need to find information about transportation. In July, “Rakevet Israel” will publish the schedule of “shuttles”.
At the same time, Israeli bus drivers went to extreme measures: strike on Friday and Monday
Thousands of bus drivers, with the participation of the Histadrut, announced on Wednesday that public transport will not operate in many cities this coming Friday from 10 am to 12 pm before Shabbat.
The troubles of the passengers do not end there – the strike will be repeated on Monday at the same hours. Friday is the day when students and soldiers go home, significant traffic jams are expected on the roads, as parents or friends will have to help them get to the place.
The Histadrut reports that Transport Minister Meirav Michaeli is refusing to meet with drivers’ representatives to raise their wages and ensure their safety. Drivers want an increase in hourly pay, as well as a solution to the increased cases of passenger attacks. More than 300 drivers have been seriously assaulted since the beginning of 2022, 40 percent of them needed medical attention.
Drivers also have a lot of overwork and Histadrut believes that 14 hours behind the wheel does not contribute to the safety of either drivers or passengers. At the same time, the country lacks 5,000 bus drivers.
Full list of lines that are on strike:
Jerusalem and intercity flights to Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Modiin Ilit, Neve Ilan.
Netanya – all city transport.
Ashdod – all urban and intercity transportation in Ashdod in the vicinity.
Petah Tikva – urban transport and part of intercity traffic.
Rosh HaAyin – all city and intercity transportation.
Yavne – all urban and intercity transport.
Lines Bnei Brak – Bnei Brak – Jerusalem, lines Bnei Brak, Ra’anana
Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem and back.
Gan Yavne – all urban and intercity transport.
Beer Sheva – all city transport.
Ariel – all city and intercity transportation.
Samaria Regional Council – all urban transport and part of the intercity.
Beit Shemesh – all urban and intercity transport to and from Jerusalem.
