Public transport fares will be slashed as part of an effort by Transport Minister Yisrael Katz and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to contend with the work on the light rail in Tel Aviv and to encourage drivers to leave their cars at home. The projected costs of the plan stand at NIS 120 million.
The planned reform of the system would institute unified pricing for each of the major metropolitan areas - Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheva - and radically decrease costs by allowing passengers 90 minutes to transfer between different modes of transport bus, train, light rail, and Metronit rapid bus transit systems - without paying an additional charge, as long as they remain within the designated area.
The plan also calls for significantly reducing the price of monthly “hybrid” passes which allow unlimited rides on both trains and buses throughout the metropolitan area.
Thus, for example, under the new regulations a monthly pass for rail and bus use between Tel Aviv and Rishon LeZion would cost NIS 252 instead of NIS 400 - a 37% drop. Between Tel Aviv and Rehovot, the cost of the pass would fall to NIS 286 from NIS 491 - a 42% decrease while commuters making the journey between Tel Aviv and Netanya would save 30% off the current prices.
Transport Ministry Public Transportation Authority director Meir Chen said, “The fare reforms are another important step in the integration between all the modes of public transportation in Israel - buses, trains, and the light rail.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 4, 2015
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