Public transport fares are about to rise by practically 50% inside two months, and the Ministry of Transport has obtained a rare finances to promote the adjustments. On the finish of this month, the automated replace of public transport fares, that are linked to the index of public transport inputs, will come into drive. The index is made up of varied prices, resembling gasoline, drivers’ wages, and insurance coverage. In response to authorities sources, the rise in city fares will probably be about NIS 0.50. That is after fares jumped from NIS to NIS 8 in April. Earlier than Miri Regev grew to become minister of transport, the fare was NIS 5.50.
The dramatic rise in fares since April is the results of a deal between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport, arrived at within the 2025 finances discussions, whereby, though the finances was a contractionary one requiring throughout the board cuts in authorities applications, there can be no cuts in infrastructure tasks of the Ministry of Transport, and there would even be extra budgets for varied initiatives, such because the planning of a Metronit (bus fast transit system) for central Israel, and the sunshine rail pink line to Rishon LeZion.
As well as, Regev can be allowed to fulfil her promise of the second stage of the reform she devised when she took up her publish (a reform severely criticized by the Ministry of Finance), underneath which fare reductions can be given to individuals residing in neighborhoods classed as socio-economic teams 1-5, primarily haredi and Arab neighborhoods, and free journey can be granted to pensioners.
In return, Regev was required to comply with a considerable rise in public transport fares, by about 30%, along with the earlier rise, as talked about, and to the rise anticipated on the finish of this month, making it an increase of about 50% altogether.
To be able to convey to the general public the advantages of the reform, the Ministry of Transport obtained a rare finances of NIS 40 million for 2025-2026 to market its exercise. The furor that has arisen up to now few days over fee to influencers on social networks is simply the tip of the iceberg. In a time of warfare, when authorities budgets are being lower on each aspect, the 2 ministries agreed on an exceptionally excessive finances to publicize and promote the transport reform.
It’s true that the finances ought to present essential data to the general public, and the usage of social community influencers is a part of a basic pattern within the promoting world, and if the marketing campaign is carried out trough the federal government promoting bureau and in accordance with the foundations, there isn’t essentially something incorrect with it. However for the sake of comparability, a fares reform came about underneath the earlier authorities as properly, and that reform introduced in NIS 300 million to the state, however the promoting finances was restricted to as much as 5% of the income, that’s, a most of NIS 15 million.
RELATED ARTICLES
NIS 40 million for promoting and advertising as agreed within the finances negotiations between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance is uncommon, in response to authorities sources. Such a finances can be enough to pave eight kilometers of cycle paths, sufficient for a medium-size metropolis in Israel resembling Bat Yam or Ofakim.
The federal government defined the rise in public transport fares in Israel partially by the truth that fares in different OECD nations are a lot greater. Nevertheless it ought to be recalled that in these nations the state gives infrastructure for dependable and quick journey. Israel remains to be behind in that respect. Surveys all over the world present that worth doesn’t make individuals swap from non-public automobiles to public transport. What does work is comfort, reliability, frequency, and pace.
Revealed by Globes, Israel enterprise information – en.globes.co.il – on June 10, 2025.
© Copyright of Globes Writer Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2025.
