Sick of traffic jams in Tel Aviv? There is yet hope for commuters in Israel\'s financial capital. The Regional Planning and Building Board approved the metropolitan Tel Aviv light railway plan earlier this week. It is not yet clear if part of the lines will be underground or on the surface, but one thing is certain: the route\'s 32 planned stops will extend from Bat Yam, a suburb south of Tel Aviv, northbound to Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak, then eastward to the terminus in Petah Tikva. The approved plan will also serve as a platform facilitating the building of mass transit systems of every type. The light railway is slated to be run by electricity, meaning a quiet ride and no pollution. Each train will carry up to 700 passengers and run at 3-6 minute intervals. The carriage will have a low base so that boarding will be as easy as stepping onto a curb. A little patience will, however, be required before Tel Aviv travellers are saved from rush hour traffic: the project is scheduled to be completed in 8 to 10 years.
A similar project in Jerusalem is only 5 years away. Last week, the Finance and Transport Ministries, along with the Jerusalem Municipality, published the final tender for four groups bidding to build and operate the first light railway in Jerusalem. The first line will be 14 kilometers long, and its 24 stops will extend from Pisgat Ze\'ev in the north to Mount Herzl, through the city center. The state is committed to guaranteeing that the trains pass speedily through junctions with traffic lights. The Jerusalem Municipality agreed to prepare the train\'s route by clearing buildings and moving underground infrastructure. Visitors to Jerusalem can already see evidence of the railway preparations: on Jaffa Road, stores between Machane Yehuda and the Klal building are being torn down.
A similar project in Jerusalem is only 5 years away. Last week, the Finance and Transport Ministries, along with the Jerusalem Municipality, published the final tender for four groups bidding to build and operate the first light railway in Jerusalem. The first line will be 14 kilometers long, and its 24 stops will extend from Pisgat Ze\'ev in the north to Mount Herzl, through the city center. The state is committed to guaranteeing that the trains pass speedily through junctions with traffic lights. The Jerusalem Municipality agreed to prepare the train\'s route by clearing buildings and moving underground infrastructure. Visitors to Jerusalem can already see evidence of the railway preparations: on Jaffa Road, stores between Machane Yehuda and the Klal building are being torn down.