The government approved the initiative of the Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Brigadier General (res.) Miri Regev, to extend the validity of the free public transportation benefit for residents who were evacuated from their homes. As part of the decision, the benefit was extended by an additional two months and will remain in effect until June 25, 2026.
The benefit allows evacuees to travel free of charge and without restriction on all public transportation systems throughout the country – buses, Israel Railways and light rail – using a Rav-Kav card.
The goal of the move is to make it easier for those who were forced to leave their homes and allow them full mobility between their temporary place of residence and workplaces, educational institutions, medical services, and essential service centers.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
Eligibility is granted to evacuees who have not yet returned to their homes and who have been approved by the local authority and the national digital system. The benefit can be redeemed through the "Hopaon" and "Rav-Kav Online" apps. With each recharge, a "National Monthly Free" subscription will be loaded onto the card for a period of 30 days, and can be renewed according to eligibility.
The extension of the benefit joins the series of assistance measures led by the Ministry of Transportation since the outbreak of hostilities, similar to the arrangements implemented during the War of Rebirth and during Operation Kalavy for the benefit of evacuees from the south and north.
The guide for evacuees: How to use the free public transportation benefit
Who is eligible for the benefit? Anyone who was evacuated from their home following missile strikes as part of Operation "Am Kalavi" or "Roar of the Lion" and has not yet returned to their home, as well as evacuees from settlements in the Reconstruction Area where essential work has not yet been completed to allow the return of residents, and families of abductees and returnees.
How do you receive the benefit?
Go to the website or the "Hopaon" or "Rav-Kav Online" app, submit an application for the evacuee benefit and attach a photocopy of your ID card and a photocopy of the back of your Rav-Kav card. If you do not have a card or it is lost, you can order a new card. After submitting the application, you will receive confirmation of eligibility by text message or email within one business day. Then, you attach the Rav-Kav to the app or charging station and top up your subscription.
The card will be loaded with a "Free Monthly National" subscription that allows unlimited travel on all public transportation lines in Israel. The subscription is valid for 30 days and must be renewed according to eligibility.
It is important to remember: Even when travel is free, the ticket must be validated each time you board a bus or train.
Are you not on the list of eligible people? If you receive a notification that you do not appear on the eligibility lists, you must contact the local authority to update your data.
Charging in the Moovit and Rav-Kav Digital apps - You can also update your eligibility profile in the Moovit and Rav-Kav Digital apps using your ID card number.
Until when is the benefit valid? The benefit will be valid until June 25, 2026, and the need for its continuation will be examined later.
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Brigadier General (res.) Miri Regev: "We are committed to continuing to assist evacuees who were forced to leave their homes due to the fighting. Extending free travel on public transportation gives them freedom of movement and the ability to maintain their daily routine as much as possible – work, studies, and essential services – even during a complex period.""
Director General of the Ministry of Transportation, Moshe Ben Zaken: "The Ministry of Transportation is working continuously to provide a transportation solution to citizens affected by the security situation. The extension of the benefit ensures that evacuees will continue to enjoy full access to the public transportation system as long as they cannot return to their homes.""
