The Jerusalem Light Rail System will conduct critical safety tests and expansion work to improve infrastructure safety from February 9-13. During this period, light rail service will be suspended, but alternative bus lines will be put in place to maintain the efficiency of public transportation throughout the city.
Testing Studies on the Red Line
Authorities aim to ensure infrastructure safety and efficiency by conducting comprehensive tests covering all operational stations on the Red Line. These tests are planned to cover the line from Neve Yaakov to Hadassah Ein Kerem.
Service Restoration After February 14
Regular light rail services will partially resume between Pisgat Ze'ev and Mount Herzl from February 14. However, additional tests will be required before full passenger access can be provided on the expanded sections. This means that safety and infrastructure elements must be fully tested before the lines can operate at full capacity.
Alternative Bus Services
To mitigate the impact of the disruptions, enhanced services are being added to bus routes. In particular, in North Jerusalem, lines 22, 25, 49, 65, 66, 540 and 541 are providing increased frequency. Passengers in the Beit Hanina area can benefit from increased service on line 274, ensuring transportation reliability.
Commuters heading to central Jerusalem rely on bus lines 500 and 501, which connect Givat Hamivtar to the Central Bus Station. In addition, bus line 502 provides non-stop transportation between the Central Bus Station and the City Hall. In southwest Jerusalem, bus services on lines 20, 21, 23, 24, 27 and 29 are being increased, making travel easier.
Future Plans and Expansion
Following the restoration of service, a major expansion plan for the Jerusalem Light Rail will be launched. The twelve new stations will strengthen connections across the city and increase accessibility to public transport. In particular, four new stops are planned to be added in the Neve Yaakov area, and the route will be expanded in the Kiryat Yovel and Kiryat Menachem areas.
These expansions aim to make Jerusalem’s transportation infrastructure more efficient and reduce traffic congestion, with authorities aiming to provide the city with a more sustainable and accessible public transportation network in the future.
