Tel Aviv Fast Lane Price to Rise Tomorrow

The minimum charge to use the Tel Aviv Fast Lane Toll Road is to rise tomorrow (Friday 1 April) from 6 Shekels to 7 Shekels, in order to match the increase in the price of monthly bus fares.  More details can be read about the toll road between Ben Gurion and Tel Aviv here.  The maximum price can be 75 Shekels per use of the fast lane.

This comes as Shapir Engineering Ltd has reported that an increasing number of commuters- now around 100 people ad day - are using the free shuttle bus along the fast lane from the free car park near Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan.  The number of car parking spaces will also increase from 780 to 1260 spaces.

Israel to build a new International Airport in Timna

The Transport Minister in Israel, Israel Katz today announced that work would soon begin on a new International Airport in Timna about 18 miles north of Eilat, to be managed by the Israeli Airport Authority.  The airport will be called the Ilan Ramon Airport.

There will be three stages of tender for the development of the airport, which will include land planning; infrastructure planning and planning of the 3600 meter runway; and planning of the terminal.

It is expected that the airport will see about 2 million passengers a year.

This will also see the closure of the existing Eilat airport.

Gasoline Prices to rise in Israel on Friday

Gasoline prices are to rise in Israel on Friday 1 April  2011 by an expected 2.7% according to ynet.  This is a result of the increasing cost of oil on the international markets - as a result of the continue instability in Arab countries -which is causing gasoline prices to rise around the world.  This would see prices rising from 7.3 shekels a litre to 7.43 or 7.5 shekels a litre.  The price of gasoline has continued to rise throughout 2011.

The price of gasoline is Israel is determined at the beginning of every month based on a formula which uses petrol prices in Italy and France.  The prediction of a 2.7% increase in the cost of petrol in Israel could change depending on how petrol prices changes across Europe.

Details of Train Suspensions between 4 April and 8 April

Israel Railways have announced suspensions to train services during the week from Monday 4 April - Friday 8 April on train lines in southern Israel between Tel Aviv and the following destinations; Ber Sheva, Dimona, Rishon Lezion, Ashkelon, and Jerusalem.  


These suspensions will allow for maintenance to the train lines along these routes.  


The following stations will not have any train services during the week of 4 April to 8 April.

Kfar Chabad Lod - Ganey Aviv Lod Rishon Lezion Beer Yaakov Rehovot Yavne Ashdod Ashkelon Beit Shemesh Jerusalem Biblical Zoo Jerusalem Malha Kiryat Gat Blade - Rahat Be'er Sheva North University Be'er Sheva Center Dimona During this period bus services will be upgraded between Tel Aviv and Ber Sheva, Ashkelon and Ashdod.

Better Place launch first battery-swapping station in Israel

Better Place has launched its first battery-swapping station in Israel for electricity-powered cars the Jerusalem Post has reported.

 courtesy of jpost.com

The first battery-swapping station to be opened in Israel is located in Kiryat Ekron, near Rehovot.  This is the first part of the electricity-powered car network in Israel.  


Better Place expects the network to be fully operational in Israel by the end of 2011.  The network will include 40 battery-swapping station, of which a further 9 are expected to open shortly.  There will also be thousands of charging spots for cars.

Jerusalem Marathon Tomorrow Bus Route Changes and Road Closures

The inaugural Jerusalem Marathon will take place tomorrow in Israel and the Jerusalem Municipality have announced the traffic changes that will take place to allow for the marathon.  Driving through Jerusalem is not recommended to drive around north-south the city drivers should use the Begin Highway.

With thanks to the Jerusalem Bus Map below are are a list of changes to bus routes tomorrow Friday 25 March 2011 in Jerusalem.

It is expected that the bus reroutes and changes outlined below will be in effect from approximately 6 AM until 2 PM, though the exact timing of the closures and reroutes is subject to change.  Please note that the detours outlined below are subject to change as required by marathon organizers and/or the police.  Bus lines without planned detours (including but not limited to 10, 15, 15A, 16, 16A, 27, 27A, 29, 33, 37, 39, 39A, 40, 40A, 47, 56, 62, 64, 67, 70, 122, 174, 175, 176 & 177) may also be rerouted without notice.  Riders on all lines should expect major delays and allow extra time to complete their journeys.  

Additional information and inquiries should be made directly to Egged by dialing *2800 from any phone. 

Information for routes that are being rerouted or suspended during the running of the Jerusalem Marathon: 

Route 1:  Detoured between Kikar HaShabbat and the Kotel in both directions

Route 2:  Suspended from Kikar Sacks to the Kotel in both directions

Route 3:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 4:  Suspended from Kikar HaShabbat to Malha in both directions

Route 4A:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 5:  Suspended from HaUman/Hasdana to Har Homa, diverted to Talpiot Egged Garage via HaUman in both directions

Route 5A:  Detoured between Kikar HaShabbat and Har HaZeitim in both directions

Routes 6/6A & 66:  Detoured between Kikar HaDavidka to French Hill Junction in both directions

Route 7/7A:   Suspended from Binyenei HaUma/Central Bus Station to Ramat Rachel/Diplomat Hotel, see Route 8 for service to Ramat Rachel, Diplomat Hotel, and Arnona

Route 8:  Operates in two sections:

1.  Pisgat Ze’ev-Mahane Yehuda via the normal routing in both directions

2.  Ramat Rachel-Binyenei HaUma via Diplomat Hotel, Talpiot Mizrach, and Kiryat Moriah, detoured between Kiryat Moriah and Binyeni HaUma in both directions

NB:  Neither section serves the stops at the Tayelet, Hanoch Albek, Derech Hevron, David Remez, Keren Hayesod, King George, or HaDavidka

Route 9:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 12:  Suspended from HaUman/Hasdana to Talpiot Mizrach in both directions

Route 13:  Suspended from HaNevi’im/HaRav Kook to Katamon in both directions

Route 17/17A:  Suspended from Binyenei HaUma/Central Bus Station to Manahat in both directions

Route 18:  Operates in two sections:

1.  Stern (Kiryat HaYovel)-Mahane Yehuda via the normal routing in both directions

2.  Malha-Binyenei HaUma, detoured between Yohanan ben Zakkai/Yossi ben Yoezer to Binyenei HaUma in both directions

NB:  Neither section serves the stops on Emek Refaim, King David, Shivtei Yisrael, Shlomtzion HaMalka, or HaNevi’im

Route 19:  Suspended entirely in both directions, see route 42A for service between Hadassah-Ein Kerem and Givat Ram

Route 20:  Suspended from HaNevi’im/HaRav Kook to Jaffa Gate in both directions

Route 21/21A:  Suspended between Mahane Yehuda to Talpiot/Givat HaMatos in both directions

Route 22:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 23:  Suspended from Kikar Sacks to Har HaTzofim/Hebrew University in both directions

Route 24:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 24A:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 25:  Detoured between French Hill Junction and Sderot Eshkol/Sheyshet HaYamim in both directions (NB: no stops are missed on inbound trips towards the Central Bus Station)

Route 26:  Suspended from Sderot Eshkol/Sheyshet HaYamim to Har HaTzofim/Hebrew University in both directions, diverted to French Hill (HaHagana/Bar Kochba)

Route 28:  Suspended from Har HaTzofim/Hebrew University to French Hill (HaHagana/Bar Kochba) and from the Strings Bridge (Gesher HaMeitarim) to Givat Ram in both directions

Route 30:  Detoured between Gilo and Talpiot in both directions

Route 30A:  Suspended entirely in both directions (NB:  there is no scheduled service on Route 30A from Har HaTzofim to Gilo on Fridays)

Route 31:  Detoured between Binyenei HaUma and Malha Mall (bypassing Givat Ram) in both directions

Route 32:  Detoured between Binyeinei HaUma and Tzomet Nayot in both directions

Route 34:  Buses from Malha to Har Homa will operate their regular route to the Har Homa Terminal, and then continue via Eliyahu Koren to the shopping center and then return to the Har Homa terminal.  Buses from Har Homa to Malha will start on Eliyahu Koren, operate in the direction of the Har Homa Terminal, and then proceed on the normal route from that point.   

Route 38/38A: Suspended entirely on both chaulufot

Route 42A:  This route will operate from Hadassah Ein Kerem to Givat Ram via the regular route of Route 19 from Hadassah-Ein Kerem to Tzomet Nayot, then left on Shneur, continue straignt, on Burla and then Sderot HaMuzeonim to Givat Ram.  Service from Givat Ram to Hadassah-Ein Kerem will be provided on the same routing in reverse. 

Route 43:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 45/45A:  Detoured between French Hill Junction and Sderot Eshkol/Sheyshet HaYamim in both directions (NB: no stops are missed on inbound trips towards the Central Bus Station)

Route 46:  Suspended from French Hill (HaHagana/Bar Kochba) to Har HaTzofim/Hebrew University in both directions

Route 48:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 49:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Route 49A:  Detoured between French Hill Junction and Sderot Eshkol/Sheyshet HaYamim in both directions (NB: no stops are missed on inbound trips towards Romema)

Route 50:  Suspended from Binyenei HaUma/Central Bus Station to Shivtei Yisrael in both directions

Route 60:  Suspended entirely in both directions

Routes 71 & 72:  Replaced by routes 71A and 72A in both directions between Ramot and Kikar HaShabbat (Routes 71A and 72A will operate their normal routes, except the first stop on Ramot-bound trips will be on Yeshayahu instead of Strauss), both routes will be suspended entirely with no replacement service between Kikar HaShabbat and Gilo

Routes 74 & 75:  Suspended between Mahane Yehuda and Har Homa in both directions

Route 120:  Will not operate from Ma’ale Adumim to Kikar Safra on Friday (NB: there is no return service from Jerusalem to Ma’ale Adumim on this route)

Route 124:  Will not operate from Ma’ale Adumim to Talpiot on Friday, return service from both Talpiot and Binyenei HaUma will begin at 12:30 PM and will operate on the regular routing

Routes 142, 143, 172 & 179:  Detoured between French Hill Junction and Sderot Eshkol/Sheyshet HaYamim in both directions (NB: no stops are missed on inbound trips towards the Central Bus Station)

Route 159:  Will operate the normal route from Mevaseret Tzion to the intersection of Agripas and A’liash, then u-turn to head on Agripas back towards the Central Bus Station, right on Shazar to Binyenei HaUma and then back on route (Betzalel is bypassed)

Route 163:  Detoured between Malchei Yisrael and Kever Rachel in both directions.  Buses from the Central Bus Station to Kever Rachel will pick up passengers at the Central Bus Station, Sarei Yisrael, Malchei Yisrael 77, across from Binyenei HaUma, and then proceed to Kever Rachel.  Buses from Kever Rachel to the Central Bus Station will proceed from Kever Rachel directly to Binyenei HaUma and drop off passengers at Binyenei HaUma, Sarei Yisrael, and Malchei Yisrael 77.  No other stops on the route will be served while the detour is in place. 

Streets Closed to Vehicles

Ben Zvi Boulevard and Ruppin Street will be closed to vehicles from Thursday, 24.3.2011 starting at 23:00 until the end of the event on Friday, 25.3.2011.

On the day of the race, the following streets will be closed to vehicles starting from 06:00 in the morning to 14:00 (estimated)

Ruppin St, The Hebrew University Campus, Netanel Lorch St, Yitzhak Rabin Blvd, Bezalel St, Ben Yehuda St, King George St, Jaffo Rd, King Solomon St, ShlomZion Hamalka, Yitzhak Karib St, Jaffa Gate, Armenian Orthodox St, Hativat Jerusalem Blvd, David Remez St, King David St, Jabotinsky St, President St, Arlozorov St, Bartenura St, Radak St, Chopin St, Gaza St, Dubnov St, Gretz St, Emek Harefaim St, Pierre Koenig St, Yehuda St, Daniel Yanovski St, Hebron Rd, Elazar Hamodai St, Kovshei Katamon St, Palmach St, Fichman St, Tchernichovsky St, Haim Hazaz Blvd, Hatzanhanim St, Hayal Hahandasa St, Haim Bar-Lev Blvd, George Adam Smith St, Lehi St, Benjamin Mazar St, Martin Buber St, Churchill Blvd - and all leading streets.

 There will be changes in traffic arrangements for private vehicles and public transportation on streets intersecting the courses Haleom, Binyanei HaUma, museums' and Kiryat Hamemshala parking lots will serve marathon participants only.

Public transportation 
There will be disruptions in public transportation lines. For information about public transportation routes call the Egged Information Center on *2800.

Parking
^ Vehicles parking along the running tracks will not be allowed to leave until the event ends and traffic arteries are opened
^ Parking will not be allowed starting from 02:00 (on the night between Thursday and Friday) along the following streets: Yehuda, Chopin and George Adam Smith.

Toll road 6 revenue system to be upgraded

Ness Technologies Ltd will continue to provide and update the toll road revenue management system for the Derech Eretz operated Road 6 Toll Road in Israel and the Carmel Tolled Tunnels in Haifa operated by HaCarmel Lanes.  Globes has reported that the technology used to charge motorists for these tolled roads in Israel will be upgraded and continue to charge motorists by recognising the license plates of cars who are then billed.

Jerusalem Light Rail to start in April in city center

Jerusalem's Light Railway is set to start operating in April in the city center, if approved today by the Knesset's Economics Committee,

It is likely that the tram will take passengers along Jaffa Road a 2.5km stretch starting from as early as 7 April.  The price for journey is likely to be between 1 and 3 shekels.  

This will be an initial trial as the testing continues ahead of the full launch expected in August.

Taxi Fares to Rise by 4% on Tuesday and Israel's Sun D'Or Airline has operating licence withdrawn - Monday 21 March 2011

Taxi Fares in Israel to Rise by 4% tomorrow

The Transport Ministry in Israel announced yesterday that taxi fares will increase by 4% on Tuesday 22 March 2011, to reflect the rising cost of diesel.

Israel's Sun D'Or Airline has operating licence withdrawn

The Civil Aviation Authority in Israel has revoked the operating licence of the Israeli airline Sun D'Or as of 1 April 2011, for not complying with international aviation standards.  The decision announced by the Transport Ministry followed discussions with the airline for over a year and the European Commission which had concerns about the company's operations.

The airline is owned by El Al and specialises in scheduled and chartered services to destinations in Europe.  The company was founded in 1981 and hass three Boeing 757-200 planes.

El Al Passengers to help plant trees in Israel

El Al, Israel's largest airline, and the Jewish National Fun have teamed up to help Israel go green by planting more trees in Israel.

El Al will pay for a tree to be planted in Yatir Forest, in the Negev in Israel,  for every online-ticket purchased on the Tel Aviv - London route.  The aim is to plant 30,000 tress in three years.

El Al has now become the first airline to automatically include offsetting carbon emissions as part of the ticket price.

New Acre to Karmiel Railway and more on Electric Cars in Israel - Thursday 17 March 2011

New Acre to Karmiel Railway


Israel Katz the Transport Minister of Israel launched a new tender to the proposed railway line between Acre and Karmiel in northern Israel, which will be managed by the National Roads Company.   The closing date for bids will be 21 June 2011.  This will be a double railway, 23 miles in length with two stations along the route one at Ahihud and at the entrance to Karmiel.

Proposed map between Acre and Karmiel

a proposed station at Ahihud

This is part of the proposed travel plan to better link the northern periphery of Israel to the center of the country.




Better Place in Israel

There is an interesting article about how the Better Car Electric Car's will work in Israel at frumforum.

Concern over new rail-track in Haifa - Monday 14th March 2011 News

Israel Railway is planning to convert 420km of track to electric power to replace fuel based trains.  However, the City of Haifa and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel is trying to stop this from being implemented in south Haifa according to the Jerusalem Post.

The concern is that in this area between the city and the Mediterranean Sea, electricity poles will be places along a 7km route only 20 meters apart in a sensitive ecological area.

Haifa Municipality are suggesting that tracks are built into a tunnel along the 7km route in southern Haifa

Jerusalem Marathon - 25 March 2011 Traffic Arrangements

On Friday 25th March 2011, the inaugural Jerusalem Marathon will take place in Israel and the Jerusalem Municipality have announced the traffic changes that will take place to allow for the marathon.



Streets Closed to Vehicles


Ben Zvi Boulevard and Ruppin Street will be closed to vehicles from Thursday, 24.3.2011 starting at 23:00 until the end of the event on Friday, 25.3.2011.

On the day of the race, the following streets will be closed to vehicles starting from 06:00 in the morning to 14:00 (estimated)

Ruppin St, The Hebrew University Campus, Netanel Lorch St, Yitzhak Rabin Blvd, Bezalel St, Ben Yehuda St, King George St, Jaffo Rd, King Solomon St, ShlomZion Hamalka, Yitzhak Karib St, Jaffa Gate, Armenian Orthodox St, Hativat Jerusalem Blvd, David Remez St, King David St, Jabotinsky St, President St, Arlozorov St, Bartenura St, Radak St, Chopin St, Gaza St, Dubnov St, Gretz St, Emek Harefaim St, Pierre Koenig St, Yehuda St, Daniel Yanovski St, Hebron Rd, Elazar Hamodai St, Kovshei Katamon St, Palmach St, Fichman St, Tchernichovsky St, Haim Hazaz Blvd, Hatzanhanim St, Hayal Hahandasa St, Haim Bar-Lev Blvd, George Adam Smith St, Lehi St, Benjamin Mazar St, Martin Buber St, Churchill Blvd - and all leading streets.

 There will be changes in traffic arrangements for private vehicles and public transportation on streets intersecting the courses Haleom, Binyanei HaUma, museums' and Kiryat Hamemshala parking lots will serve marathon participants only.

Public transportation 
There will be disruptions in public transportation lines. For information about public transportation routes call the Egged Information Center on *2800.

Parking
^ Vehicles parking along the running tracks will not be allowed to leave until the event ends and traffic arteries are opened
^ Parking will not be allowed starting from 02:00 (on the night between Thursday and Friday) along the following streets: Yehuda, Chopin and George Adam Smith.

Security of Jerusalem Light Rail and Ben Gurion Airport

As testing continues on the Jerusalem Light Rail line, TUV NORD Group are continuing their work to ensure the entire system fully meets the safety requirements.

When operational the light rail system, which will have 46 Citadis trams on a 14 km route, will meet the standard international requirement for railways EN 50126.  This is a higher standard of safety than most tram systems around the world.  In order to meet the EN 50126 safety standard, which will be issued by CENELEC (the European Committee for Electro-technical Standardisation, the light rail system will have to prove its reliability, availability, maintainability and safety, including integrating the tram line into the existing road network of Jerusalem.


Ben Gurion Airport Security

The Jerusalem Post carries an editorial supporting the profiling of passengers and questioning the High Courts of Israel decision to examine the process.

Jerusalem's Begin Highway to be extended, Proposed Northern Israel Rail Line and Aviation Legislation passes another stage in the Knesset

Jerusalem's Begin Highway to be extended to Gilo


The Begin Highway, one of Jerusalem's main traffic arterial roads is to be extended from the Golomb Street, via Malha Train Station to Gilo.  The Jerusalem Municipality is publishing tenders to find companies to carry out the work to extend the highway.

The project will be overseen by Moriah Jerusalem Development Company who have published the tender documents on their website.  The Jerusalem Municipality are also planning to widen the Begin Highway between Golomb Street and Kiryat Moshe, so that the entire road from Road 443 in northern Jerusalem to Malha in souther Jerusalem will have three lanes in both directions.

Proposed Northern Israel Rail Line

Israel's Transport Ministry has started the tender process for a new railway line along the route of the old Hejaz railway between Haifa and Jordan built during the Turkish Empire.  The Transport Ministry have published the tender for the first section of the line between Haifa and Afula, and it is expected the line will extend to Beit Shean.

The plan is for the proposed railway (pictured above) to start operating by 2016.

Aviation Legislation

A piece of Government legislation to improve aviation safety in Israel passed another stage in the Knesset this week, when it was approved by the Economics Committee.  The legislation being brought by the Transport Minister, Israel Katz, can now go for a 2nd and 3rd reading.  The new law the first of it's kind in the State of Israel is being introduced following criticism by the International Air Transport Association in January and the downgrading by the US Aviation Administration.

Egged Bus Fares Reduced

Egged has announced that it has reduced bus prices on the following routes

Jerusalem


Route No. 450, 448, 437, 449, 446, 451, 438, 494, 492Jerusalem/Har’el Branching/Shoresh Branching – Beit Khelkiya/Yesodot Branching: NIS 17. 2 (code 8), instead of NIS 19.0 (code 9)
Route 437 & 438Ta’uz Junction – Shimshon Junction: NIS 5.3 (code 1), instead of 8.8 (code 3)



South

Route No. 75ARishon le-Tsiyon Ha-Zahav Mall – Ayalon Mall: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Rishon le-Tsiyon Ha-Zahav Mall – Kikar Ilit Ramat Gan: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Kholon – Ramat Gan Kikar Ilit: NIS 9.8 (code 4), instead of 11.3 (code 5)
Route No.38 & 434Rekhovot – Kibbutz Khulda Branching: NIS 11.3 (code 5), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Rekhovot CBS – Khulda Junction: NIS 15.4 (code 7), instead of NIS 19.0 (code 9)
Bilu Junction - Kibbutz Khulda Branching: NIS 9.8 (code 4), instead of NIS 11.3 (code 5)
Bilu Junction – Khulda Junction: NIS 15.4 (code 7), instead of NIS 19.0 (code 9)
Gan Shlomo Junction - Kibbutz Khulda Branching: NIS 8.8 (code 3), instead of NIS 9.8 (code 4)
Kiryat Ekron - Kibbutz Khulda Branching: NIS 8.8 (code 3), instead of NIS 11.3 (code 5)
Mazkeret Batya - Kibbutz Khulda Branching: NIS 8.8 (code 3), instead of NIS 9.8 (code 4)
Route No.012 Rishon le-Tsiyon – PalmakhimRishon le-Tsiyon – Beit Khanan: NIS 6.4 (code 2), instead of NIS 9.8 (code 4)
Ein ha-Kore – Beit Khanan: NIS 6.4 (code 2), instead of NIS 8.8 (code 3)
Route No. 319Rishon le-Tsiyon – Bnei Brak: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Route No. 318Bar Ilan Junction – Rekhovot: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Rishon le-Tsiyon – Ramat Gan, Ayallon Mall: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Ganot Branching - Ramat Gan, Ayallon Mall: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Route No.166 & 164Rekhovot – Bar Ilan Junction/Aluf Sadeh Branching/Messubim Junction: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
cashiers  


North

Route No.222 & 202Pardes Khana, Khadera – Ma’ayan Tsvi Branching/Zikhron Police: NIS 13.5 (code 6), instead of NIS 15.4 (code 7)
Route No.784Haifa – Or Akiva Interchange: NIS 20.0 (code 10), instead of NIS 23.0 (code 11)
Route No. 432 & 833Ashdot Ya’akov – Poriya Hospital:  NIS 9.8 (code 4), instead of NIS 11.3 (code 5)
Tsemakh Junction – Poriya Hospital: NIS 8.8 (code 3), instead of NIS 11.3 (code 5)

Tel Aviv Light Rail Infrastructure Work to Start and High Speed Rail Line to Eilat

Tel Aviv Light Rail Infrastructure Work to Start in September

Israel Katz the Transport Minister in Israel has announced that the first infrastructure work on the Tel Aviv Light Rail line will begin on 21 September.

Currently only 17% of residents in the Tel Aviv region travel by public transport (below the national average of 20%.)  It is hoped that the new light rail line will increase the level of public transport users as the first light rail line in Tel Aviv will be able to carry 150,000 passengers a day.

This announcement follows the Government take-over of the scheme and the launch of a tender for companies to build the tunnels.


High Speed Rail Line to Eilat

A Chinese company has made a bid to build an high-spped railway from Tel Aviv to Eilat.  If built the train line will see trains travelling at up to 350 km per hour, which would reduce the journey time from Ben Gurion Airport to Timna to less than two hours.  Ori Yogev, Chairman Designate of Israel Railways has said that a decision would have to be made within a year on whether to go with the high speed rail solution or a traditional railway where can trains can travel up to 230 km per hour.

Speed Camera's to start in Israel in May

The Ministry of Public Security has said that they expect fixed position speed cameras to begin operating on roads in Israel in May or June.  The announcement follows the granting of permits by the Israel National Roads Company, to allow the poles and camera's to be installed alongside roads in Israel.

The project to install the cameras and operate the speed cameras will be carried out by Malam Team, which is based at a national command and control center at Har Hotzvim in Jerusalem.  The cameras are supplied by the Dutch company Gatsometer.

The Ministry of Public Security said that the 300 cameras on Israel's roads should be installed this month, followed by 2 month pilot.  Following the pilot project, the cameras should be fully operational in May or June.  Israel currently only has 15 speed cameras but the new project will see 200 cameras being used to catch speeding motorists, while 100 cameras will be used to spot motorists running red lights.  It is expected that 300,000 fines will be sent out to motorists each year, which could raise 200 million shekels in fines for the Government.  It is also hoped that the threat of being fined will see motorists driving more safely and so reducing the amount of accidents.