Lucky: Public transportation fare hike will be postponed until at least April

December 17, 2024   

Public transportation fares will not be increased on January 1, 2025. According to a report in Kan News, most urban bus and train trips were expected to increase in price by 33-35%, but today (Tuesday) it was decided that the increase will be postponed and will not be implemented until at least April. The second part of the 'Transportation Justice' reform promises discounts for vulnerable populations, including discounts for residents of neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status and free travel for senior citizens. 75% of passengers in Israel will receive a discount on travel. In addition, 300 million shekels will be added to the base budget for additional lines, service, accessibility, availability, and more. It was decided that the increase will come along with an additional budget package and as part of the planned reforms in public transportation, which includes reducing fares in some places and changing various issues such as the age of exemption from payment. In relation to the many increases in the economy on January 1, public transportation was considered to have the steepest increase, ranging from 30-40% across all types of payment and fares. The Ministry of Transportation responded: "The Ministry of Transportation has never announced that the price of public transportation is expected to increase in January. The Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Miri Regev, intends to ensure that the fare increase agreed upon with the Ministry of Finance will be carried out in parallel with the discounts and benefits provided by the 'Transportation Justice' reform, which is intended to ease the cost of living and encourage the use of public transportation. "In contrast to the fare increase, senior citizens aged 67 and over will benefit from free travel on all means of public transportation, and residents of areas with a socio-economic index of 5-1 will receive a discount of 50% on the monthly subscription price. This is in addition to the variety of exemptions and discounts that have already come into effect, such as a year of free travel for discharged soldiers and national service graduates, a discount for youth 18-26, people with disabilities and residents of the geographical periphery. It should be emphasized that the discount will be given according to neighborhoods and streets and not just according to the general settlement, in order to ensure that the benefit reaches the people who need it most.".