Transportation Minister Miri Regev presented today (Tuesday) a new reform in public transportation prices, with an emphasis on residents of the periphery, young people, and senior citizens.
The goal: Encouraging the use of public transportation over the use of private vehicles - by reducing fares.
The reform is estimated to cost a total of approximately 740 million shekels.
Discount for young people aged 18–26 - Under the new program, a discount of 33% will be given on the purchase of accumulated value and a free monthly subscription for young people in the age group. Previously, only children and youth up to the age of 18 benefited from discounts.
Free travel for veterans - The benefit, which is currently only given to soldiers during their service, will be extended for a year from the date of discharge, as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for the time they spent in military service.
Significant discount for residents of the periphery - Benefits for residents of the periphery with a 50% discount when purchasing aggregated value for localities in the peripherality index 1-5, and a 50% discount for localities in the socio-economic ranking 1-5.
Free travel on all public transportation in Israel for senior citizens - Until now, only those aged 75 and over enjoyed free travel. In the new outline, this benefit will be granted to every senior citizen, women from the age of 62 and men from the age of 67, while expanding the circle of eligible users by hundreds of thousands of users.
People with disabilities and those eligible for National Insurance - Until now, this group was only given a discount when purchasing a bundled value. Now, they will be eligible to pay half price even when purchasing a "free-monthly" subscription.
Discount on a free monthly combined subscription - Discount on a combined free monthly subscription, over 75 km. Currently, the rate is 610 shekels, and with the implementation of the reform, it will be 500 shekels.
Minister Regev referred to the reform in public transportation fares: "Today we are presenting the price revolution in public transportation, which will ensure quality service at a fair price for all residents of Israel. As someone who grew up in the periphery, I am committed to working for everyone who lives outside the major metropolitan areas. The price revolution that I am leading will provide public transportation at an equal price for everyone throughout the country and without any preference for one sector or another."
"The periphery is required to buy a car, pay for gas, and also pay for Highway 6, which is impossible. I want to encourage them to travel by public transportation. Residents of southern Tel Aviv, Lod, Ramla, and Bnei Brak, which are considered to be in the center, also deserve a discount. They are close to the center, but on a socioeconomic level, they need help."
"Our goal is to significantly reduce traffic jams and the cost of living by reducing the transportation item in the Israeli family's consumption basket and encouraging the use of public transportation," added Minister Regev. "I believe with all my heart that these two are national goals that cross sectors and camps, and I intend to fight for their realization as soon as possible."
At the press conference, Regev said: "My predecessor's equal-paying reform distorted prices. It is clear that we cannot return to a reform of 70 prices. We tried to make sense of returning the prices to reasonable prices and not such expensive prices."
Regev presented another plan at the press conference to reduce traffic jams and congestion, at a cost of 2 billion shekels. That plan includes adding lines and stations to public transportation, raising driver wages, adding refreshment stations and security to prevent violence. Also in the plan: a train on wheels and a sea shuttle from Nahariya, Herzliya and Tel Aviv.
Regev also said that she made it clear to the NTA that the light rail's red line will begin operating after Independence Day, and if not, the Ministry of Transportation will impose sanctions against the company: "I believe and hope that after Independence Day the red line will operate, and I made it clear to the CEO that if after Independence Day the red line does not operate, you will see what the Ministry of Transportation's position on this matter will be."
Uri Maklev, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Transportation, congratulates Transportation Minister Miri Regev on the new public transportation price reform: "This reform will bring about a revolution in public transportation prices in Israel. This is a plan that does not discriminate against populations and sectors, neither peripheral settlements nor ultra-Orthodox cities, and provides a truly equal and accessible path for everyone."
"This program will promote public transportation for both established users and encourage private vehicle owners to use public transportation."
The bus drivers' organization welcomed the reform in public transportation fares: "This is the first step on the way to creating cheap, reliable, and efficient public transportation. This step, along with improving the status of the driver, will increase the use of public transportation and help reduce traffic jams."
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