Gush Dan traffic jams: New 250 million shekel transport hub underway

The HaTayasim hub project — an integrated transport center serving the Gush Dan metropolis — is officially underway. With an investment exceeding 250 million shekels, the facility will be constructed adjacent to Highway 40 and the future Highway 46, serving as an advanced hub that integrates public transport, private vehicles, and pedestrian access.

The project includes a new terminal featuring 180 bays for electric buses, alongside a 'Park and Ride' facility with approximately 1,200 parking spaces. The complex will be directly connected to the terminus of the Purple Line light rail, which is scheduled to begin operations in about two years.

The Purple Line route passes through the HaTayasim junction to Highway 461, separating Yehud from Or Yehuda, and continues toward Sheba Hospital and the Ono Valley. From there, the line proceeds to the Aluf Sadeh axis in Ramat Gan, Derech HaShalom in Givatayim, and into the south and center of Tel Aviv via Kfar Shalem, the Hatikva neighborhood, the Central Bus Station area, and the streets of Aliya and Allenby. The route then heads north toward Ben Yehuda and Arlozorov, terminating near the Savidor train station.

The construction plan for the HaTayasim hub also includes dedicated bridges for vehicles, buses, and pedestrians to ensure efficient and accessible traffic flow.

The complex is scheduled to open to the public in mid-2029, approximately one year after the launch of the Purple Line, whose terminus and maintenance center will be located adjacent to the hub.

The Ministry of Transport stated that the project is part of a broad strategic plan to establish integrated transport centers at key locations nationwide. These centers are intended to create seamless connectivity between trains, light rail, buses, and private vehicles, thereby improving accessibility to employment, commercial, and residential hubs while reducing travel times.

"This is another strategic project that will strengthen the mass transit system, reduce road congestion, and improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of citizens," said Minister of Transport Miri Regev.

Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken noted that upon completion, passengers will benefit from high-quality connections between buses, light rail, and private cars. Acting CEO of Cross Israel, Guy Levian, emphasized the strategic importance of the HaTayasim hub for the Gush Dan metropolis, stating that the center will allow for efficient and convenient transfers.

Addressing the heavy congestion in the area—comparable to the bottlenecks on Highway 471 and the interchange leading to Highway 4 and the Aluf Sadeh junction—Levian estimated that the project would significantly reduce traffic and encourage public transport usage. Currently, rush-hour congestion remains a persistent issue, with drivers often facing hour-long delays, compounded by ongoing infrastructure works for the Purple Line.