In order to encourage combined use of trains and bicycles: Last week, three new bicycle carriages manufactured by Alstom were unloaded at the Ashdod port - out of 81 dedicated carriages that were purchased and are expected to arrive in Israel in the coming year.
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The new carriages were specially designed to accommodate passengers with bicycles, and they include spacious interior space and safe docking facilities.
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The bicycle carriages will be clearly marked inside and out, to allow for easy and quick identification of the carriage by riders. The carriages were transferred for interior design at the Alstom factory in Dimona, and will be integrated into the passenger train fleet in about two months.
According to Israel Railways, there has been significant growth in the number of cyclists using the train in recent years. The new cars are expected to reduce congestion in regular cars, improve travel safety, and facilitate movement for all passengers, including people with disabilities.
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev: "Encouraging cycling is an important goal of the Ministry of Transportation under my leadership, which we are promoting by paving an extensive network of hundreds of kilometers of bike paths in all Israeli cities.
""Bike paths, which include refreshment and rest stops, are today an integral part of every transportation project, with an emphasis on convenient connections to transportation centers and train and bus stations. Adding dedicated bicycle carriages to the train fits into this important trend, and is important news for riders and the general traveling public.".
""This is another step towards strengthening public transportation and making it accessible to all citizens, while protecting the environment and encouraging a healthier and more efficient lifestyle.""
Ministry of Transportation Director General Moshe Ben Zaken: "As part of Minister of Transportation Miri Regev's policy to encourage connectivity and connectivity, our ministry continues to invest in smart solutions for integrated transportation. The new cars will allow riders to combine riding and driving easily and comfortably, as part of our vision to reduce road congestion and increase accessibility to advanced public transportation.""
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Israel Railways, Adv. Moshe Shimoni: "The acceptance of the new bicycle carriages is a significant milestone in an extensive strategic procurement process that the Board of Directors, headed by me, saw before its eyes, and has now become a reality in practice. The new carriages define a new service standard for railway customers and will be operated on the various lines of Israel Railways and are expected to significantly ease the load on the carriages, and will also be operated on the rail projects currently being implemented such as Line 431, the Eastern Line, and more.""
Israel Railways CEO Shiko Zena: "At Israel Railways, we encourage the use of bicycles as a complementary means of transportation to the train, such as "last mile" travel. This trend allows more people to enjoy train and public transportation services, thus reducing road congestion and contributing to environmental quality. The new bicycle trailer is part of a variety of solutions that the railway is promoting to provide a solution for the public of cyclists who use the train.""
