Technical Malfunction: New Jerusalem Light Rail Line Suspended
The light rail line, which opened just last Friday, has encountered its first operational failure, leading to a complete suspension of service. It is currently unknown when regular operations will resume.
The Jerusalem Light Rail celebrated the official inauguration of its new L3 line last Friday, connecting HaTurim station on Jaffa Street to Malha station. The 7-kilometer extension includes 13 stations, serving as a vital link to the existing L1 line.
However, by this evening—less than two days after the launch—a technical malfunction was recorded, resulting in a complete halt of service. Due to a train failure in the Gonenim area, all train movement between HaTurim and Minhat (Malha) stations has been suspended until further notice.
This project, arriving 15 years after the launch of the first line, marks the initial phase of the "Green Route Project," promising a significant upgrade in urban mobility. The new line provides residents and visitors with sustainable access to major employment, education, and leisure hubs, including Teddy Stadium, Pais Arena, Malha Mall, the Botanical Gardens, and various high-tech parks.
The line was designed for seamless integration with the city's broader transport network. Two central transfer stations allow for quick connections to the L1 line, local bus routes, and Israel Railways at Yitzhak Navon station.
