Israel Railways: New Line Approved to Shorten Travel Times

Israel's transportation system continues to upgrade to provide efficient and service-oriented solutions for its citizens. The National Infrastructure Committee (VATAL) approved on Monday the Ministry of Transport's plan to begin expanding and upgrading the Coastal Railway on the section between Hof HaCarmel station and Shefayim.

This is the central and longest section (68 km) of the high-speed rail route between Haifa and Tel Aviv, aimed at significantly increasing the frequency of trains, travel speed, and passenger capacity on Israel Railways.

Main points of the plan:

1. Separation of tracks to prevent delays: Expansion to four tracks—two high-speed (up to 250 km/h) and two suburban (four suburban tracks are planned for the Netanya-Shefayim section).

2. Reduction of travel time: High-speed trains will complete the journey from Haifa to Tel Aviv in about 30 minutes with limited stops.

3. Leap in capacity: Accommodating up to 30,000 passengers during peak hours in each direction as part of preparations for 300 million annual trips by 2040.

4. Infrastructure and stations: Construction of a new station at the Highway 4 junction (replacing the existing Binyamina station), upgrading stations along the route, and implementing grade separations, ecological crossings, and noise reduction solutions.

Minister of Transport Miri Regev stated:

"The high-speed tracks between Tel Aviv and Haifa will change the way Israeli citizens move across the country. A high-frequency, high-speed rail service with a travel time of only half an hour between the two metropolises will bring the North closer to the Center, expand opportunities for employment, study, and leisure, and serve as a fast, reliable, and convenient alternative to private cars."