Local Council Heads Demand Revocation of Bus Lines from "Tnufa" Company

On Monday, 400 bus drivers from the "Tnufa" company, which operates in the Samaria and Jerusalem area, launched a wildcat strike. The drivers claim the action was held in protest against deficiencies in bus maintenance and uncertainty regarding their wages and employment conditions.

In response, the heads of the Samaria authorities issued a letter to the Ministry of Transport demanding that the lines be expropriated from the company, claiming it operates in a state of "continuous failure and disgraceful disregard." Ariel Mayor Yair Shtabon stated that the strike was the final straw.

"Starting from 6:00 AM, the public transport system in Ariel collapsed, and the Ministry of Transport is standing by. The consequences are devastating: soldiers are stuck on the roads for hours, bus stations are packed to capacity, and workers' livelihoods are being harmed. We will not accept a reality in which the Ministry of Transport, as the regulator, has turned hundreds of thousands of residents into second-class citizens," Shtabon said.

According to the authorities, "Tnufa" is in a state of total collapse. They cite Ministry of Transport data showing the company canceled hundreds of trips in the second half of 2024 and throughout 2025, with a projected non-performance rate of 5% for the first half of 2026—an exceptional figure compared to other operators.

The "Tnufa" workers' committee, represented by the Histadrut, claims the fleet's maintenance state harms both driver and passenger safety, stemming from the company's conduct and cash flow difficulties. The committee stated the strike aims to ensure management takes responsibility for wages and legal social rights.

Parallel to the authorities' letter, Idan Moalem, head of the Public Transport Authority at the Ministry of Transport, issued a reprimand to "Tnufa." He demanded the company maintain operational continuity and driver safety, warning that the Authority will impose fines and sanctions if obligations are not met.

The protest coincides with attempts to sell "Tnufa," currently owned by Maya Tours, Eastlink Lanker, China Motors, and the Shash Group, who are embroiled in an internal legal dispute. "Metropoline" is among those expressing interest in the company's sought-after routes.

"Tnufa" responded: "The issue of pension contributions, for which the workers' committee declared the strike, has been fully settled. Today, there is no dispute between the company and the Histadrut on this subject. We continue to invest all efforts to reinforce service and meet targets for the benefit of the traveling public."