According to the directive of Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Israel Railways has continued to operate on a large scale and with high intensity since the beginning of Operation 'Roar of the Lion', while maintaining full functional continuity in transporting passengers and cargo, in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines.
As part of expanding its operations and adapting them to the needs of the economy and the public, starting Sunday, Israel Railways will operate approximately 450 trains - which will carry approximately 100,000 passengers daily.
This volume of activity reaches approximately 80 percent of the volume of routine service, even though demand is only about 30 percent. The impressive capacity demonstrated by the railway positions it as one of the main pillars of the Israeli economy even during a period of emergency, ensuring broad mobility between regions of the country.
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Israel Railways has restored full operation to 56 stations across the country, which is approximately 841% of all stations, and is working towards a gradual return of all stations and lines, nationwide.
As part of the special preparations for the emergency, Minister Regev ordered the intensification of activity during the night hours through approximately 27 night trains operating on the main lines, including Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon - Ben Gurion Airport and Hof Carmel - Ben Gurion Airport - Beer Sheva Center, allowing movement around the clock for the benefit of essential workers, security forces, and the general public.
As part of emergency preparedness, Israel Railways operates an advanced operational system that includes a situation room staffed 24 hours a day, ongoing situation assessments at the management level and in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation, continued regular operation of passenger lines alongside the transportation of essential cargo for the economy, rapid opening and training of stations as needed, as well as significant reinforcement of security systems and the placement of protections and protected spaces for workers in the field.
In addition, comprehensive preparations are being made for extreme scenarios, including ensuring operational continuity through backup systems, full refueling of mobile equipment and locomotives, and increasing the readiness of cyber and security systems.
At the same time, damage and malfunctions are handled on an ongoing basis, while maintaining a high and stable level of service.
Israel Railways emergency teams are dealing with damage caused by missile attacks at record speed. The teams are clearing hazards and repairing damage to infrastructure, tracks, and stations in an extremely short time, with the goal of quickly returning the lines to service.
Among other things, the Tel Aviv Central Station was restored to service within just 5 hours, and the Holon Intersection Station, as well as the Kishon operations complexes, were treated, along with rapid treatment of damaged mobile equipment.
These actions allowed the national network to continue operating almost without interruption and maintained continuity of service to the public.
Israel Railways is assisting the broader national effort, including evacuating passengers from the Ben Gurion Airport area, preparing for the transportation of civilians as part of the return operations to Israel, and examining options for assistance in transporting forces and equipment and evacuating the wounded when necessary. .
Alongside continued functional transportation continuity, Israel Railways continues to develop and expand infrastructure while strengthening the economy, and in recent days a new electric line was inaugurated in Beer Sheva, improving service and travel times.
