Gush Dan’s Red Line Light Rail Set to Officially Inaugurate on August 18
31.07.2023 | 15:53
The long-awaited inauguration of the red line of the light rail in Gush Dan has finally been scheduled for August 18, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Transportation today. After facing delays in recent months due to multiple incidents of emergency braking, the NATA project has now been confirmed to meet all safety requirements by the German control company.
The red line spans from Petah Tikva to Bat Yam, covering prominent cities such as Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, and Tel Aviv-Yafo along the way. The train will operate above ground in Petah Tikva and then continue underground through the Jabotinsky axis in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan, with several station stops. It will again go underground in central Tel Aviv before resurfacing in Jaffa and Bat Yam. Initially, the frequency of trips will be relatively low, with a light train passing every six minutes.
While the red line approaches its grand opening, the infrastructure works for the construction of the “Green Line” and the “Purple Line” of the light rail are also progressing. The “Green Line” is expected to open in 2028 and will begin in Rishon Lezion, passing through Holon before reaching central Tel Aviv. The route will feature both underground and above-ground segments, with two branches leading to Herzliya and the Ramat Hay’il business area in Tel Aviv.
On the other hand, the “Purple Line” is scheduled to start operating in 2027 and will be an entirely above-ground route. It will commence in the Ono Valley and will pass through the Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer before reaching the Alof Sade axis and parts of Derech HaShalom in Ramat Gan and Givatayim. The line will then continue southwards to the Hatikva neighborhood and Aliya Street, traversing Allenby Street and finally reaching the center of Tel Aviv, where it will conclude its journey at the Savidor train station.
As Gush Dan eagerly awaits the inauguration of the red line, commuters and residents can look forward to enhanced transportation options in the area. With the green and purple lines also in progress, the light rail system is set to transform the daily commuting experience for thousands of individuals in the region.