Title: Historic Launch of Light Rail in Gush Dan Finally Takes Place
After a long delay of almost two years, the highly anticipated light rail on the red line in Gush Dan finally began its operation this morning (Friday). The inaugural trip saw dozens of excited passengers boarding the first train that departed from Bat Yam towards Petah Tikva at 5:40 am. These passengers included families who had traveled from Hariah, Haifa, and various other locations across the country. Among the first passengers was 70-year-old Kuti Elazar, who was awarded the certificate for being the first passenger on the train.
The launch of the light rail sparked a festive atmosphere, with crowded stations teeming with families and children, turning the journey into a memorable experience. Many expressed the feeling of being abroad, with Abram from Tel Aviv stating, “I went with my son to the Bloomfield Stadium. Although there is no game today, but we will know the next one. The feeling is of being abroad.”
Noam, who traveled from Rocham with his three children, described the day as a special experience, stating, “It’s something new and it was worth coming from Rocham for this. We’re having a weekend here and planned it to be on the day of the light rail.”
Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who toured the line’s stations, emphasized the historical significance of the event and its long-term impact. Regev stated, “The red line is only the first step in a grand plan for the state’s expansion, which includes a network of light trains, metros, and heavy trains connecting Kiryat Shmona to Eilat and other cities.”
During her visit to the Bialik station in Ramat Gan, Regev acknowledged the sacrifices made by property owners and businesses during the construction phase. She assured them that their suffering was not in vain, as property prices would rise, and the area would experience significant economic growth.
While approximately ten activists protested against the light rail not operating on Shabbat, many passers-by and Likud-affiliated activists warmly received Regev and even sang “Today is my birthday” in celebration of the momentous occasion.
NTA CEO Haim Glick, speaking with Gideon Oko on 103FM, expressed his excitement about the morning’s atmosphere. He mentioned being unable to sleep due to overwhelming enthusiasm and observed the significant number of children and teenagers who came to witness the train’s activity.
Glick added, “We made a move, and it will have an impact. The train will be able to take 250,000 passengers a day, replacing the need for ten buses.”
The launch was marked by a ceremonial ceremony attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Energy Minister Israel Katz, and Transportation Minister Miri Regev. During the event, Netanyahu expressed his excitement, emphasizing the realization of the dream of transportation in Israel. Energy Minister Israel Katz, who initiated the project, commended Regev and stated, “Miri Regev, you are a bulldozer. I am proud that you returned to the Ministry of Transportation and took the wheel.”
The red line of the light rail will operate with a frequency of one train every six minutes in its initial stage. Additionally, a speed limit of 20 km/h has been implemented along Jerusalem Boulevard to ensure safety. During rush hour, the travel time on the line from Petah Tikva to Bat Yam will be comparable to that by private car. However, the journey from Petach Tikva to Tel Aviv will only take around 20 minutes.
With a total of 34 stations, including 10 underground stations and one partially submerged station (Elifelt station), passengers will be able to access the trains via escalators and elevators. On weekdays, the trains will operate from 5:00 a.m. until around 11:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., depending on the line and station. The red line will cease operating on Fridays before the bus lines and resume on Saturday evenings after them.
The launch of the light rail in Gush Dan marks a significant milestone in the long-awaited expansion of Israel’s transportation infrastructure, and it is expected to have a transformative impact on the region.