For the first time in Israel: an autonomous metro train without a driver
NTA has published the pre-qualification process for equipment and operation tenders worth tens of billions of shekels, marking a milestone in the country's most complex infrastructure project. The plan includes the purchase of hundreds of driverless carriages and the integration of advanced signaling systems, with international firms required to partner with local cybersecurity experts.
The most expensive and complex infrastructure project in the country's history, the Metro project, is advancing to its next phase. Ahead of the results for the infrastructure base tender (tunneling and station construction), NTA has published the pre-qualification (PQ) process for the "Infra 2" tenders. This operational stage involves selecting companies to supply rolling stock, build communication and signaling systems, and manage train traffic. The scope of the tenders at this stage alone is estimated at approximately 30 billion shekels.
Transport authorities and the Ministry of Finance view this move as a critical step in the project's planning. Until now, the process has focused on the "Infra 1" tender, which covers the physical infrastructure for 109 underground stations and tunnel excavation — a tender valued at about 65 billion shekels, currently in advanced selection stages among 20 international and Israeli groups.
Transition to autonomous trains
NTA is running procurement processes in parallel to ensure that the outfitting of engineering infrastructure with operating, electrification, and control systems proceeds continuously. The key feature of this new tender is its advanced technological specification, centered on a transition to fully autonomous trains. The trains destined for Gush Dan are designed to operate according to the international GOA4 standard — the highest level of automation in global rail transport, allowing for travel, stopping, and fault management without human intervention or a driver on board.
Winning companies will not only supply the carriages but will also be required to design and build an integrated system connecting the trains to stations and the control center. This includes smart signaling, power systems, encrypted communication, and finishing equipment for underground stations. Furthermore, winners will receive a long-term concession for the operation and maintenance of the entire network.
Security and cyber protection
Given the security landscape and local threats, NTA and government ministries have developed unique adjustments. Technical requirements were formulated in close coordination with Israeli security and emergency agencies. Foreign companies participating in the tender will be required to partner with Israeli cybersecurity and information security firms, which will be entrusted with protecting autonomous systems from hacks and disruptions.
The launch of the tender follows a prolonged series of meetings between representatives of the Treasury, the Ministry of Transport, and NTA with dozens of global infrastructure and transport firms in Europe and Asia. The market expects this tender to serve as a significant test of confidence in the Israeli economy's ability to attract massive investments and foreign technology at this time.
The planned metro network is set to encompass three lines totaling approximately 150 km, connecting 24 local authorities across the metropolis. Economic forecasts suggest the network will transport over 600 million passengers annually, and when combined with the red, green, and purple light rail lines, facilitate over 800 million trips per year. For Gush Dan, this represents a long-term growth engine poised to transform real estate, employment, and transport for decades to come.
