Record High in Public Transportation: 912 Million Trips in 2025

Minister of Transportation Miri Regev: “The public is increasingly choosing public transportation. This is clear proof that the policy we are leading is changing the reality on the roads.”

Public transportation in Israel continues to break records. In 2025, 912 million trips were recorded on buses, light rail, and Israel Railways, compared to 904 million trips in 2024, a new all-time annual record for trips.

The data reflects a trend of continued recovery and growth after the Corona years, and subsequently, against the backdrop of the challenges of the “Swords of Iron” war, during which transportation activities were reduced in large areas of the country, lines were suspended, and drivers and vehicles were mobilized for the national effort. Despite this, the public transportation system maintained functional continuity and quickly returned to growing operational volumes.

The increase in the number of passengers is a result of a clear policy led by the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety: expanding the network of lines, increasing frequencies, opening and extending light rail lines, improving service on Israel Railways, and unprecedented investment in service additions. As part of the 2025 budget, hundreds of millions of shekels were allocated specifically for expanding public transportation services.

The record figure for 2025 indicates growing public trust and a gradual shift from private vehicles to quality, available, and accessible public transportation as a basis for dealing with the problem of road congestion and improving quality of life.

Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev: “We are connecting Israel through advanced public transportation – not with slogans but with actions. Every new line, every added frequency, and every infrastructure project brings more passengers to choose public transportation.”

Director General of the Ministry of Transportation, Moshe Ben Zaken: “Since Minister Miri Regev took office, public transportation has been a top priority. The opening of new light rail segments, the expansion of the bus system, the advancement of the national rail network, and the ‘Transportation Justice’ fare revolution – all of these translate into an increase in the number of passengers and improved service for the public.”

prime minister Benjamin netanyahu spoke this evening with Tali and Itzik Guili, parents of the fallen abducted soldier Sergeant Major Ran Guili, may his memory be blessed.

The Prime Minister clarified that Ran’s return is our top priority and that the declarative move to establish a technocratic committee will not affect the efforts to return Ran to burial in Israel.

The Prime Minister clarified that the Israeli government insists that information provided to mediators by the POW Coordinator and his team will be immediately translated into effective actions on the ground.

Hamas is required to abide by the terms of the agreement and make a 100% effort to return all fallen abducted individuals, down to the last one – Ran Guili, hero of Israel.

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli soldiers demolished the Hebron home of terrorist Imran al-Atrash overnight, the Israel Defense Forces said. Atrash was responsible for a November car-ramming and stabbing attack at the Gush Etzion Junction south of Jerusalem.

Seventy-one-year-old Aharon Cohen was killed in the attack and three others were injured.

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale was felt Thursday morning across the Dead Sea region, with tremors reported in numerous nearby communities. According to initial assessments, the quake struck at a depth of about 10 kilometers, approximately 19 kilometers northeast of Dimona. Residents in the city described feeling strong shaking, saying objects moved inside buildings and that the experience was frightening, noting they had not felt a similar event in years. Magen David Adom reported that it received no calls regarding injuries or damage.

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — More than a million Israelis switched from the national electricity company in 2025 to private energy companies.

In July of last year, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Noga and the Israel Electric Company launched the electricity reform. During the year, 279,500 customers joined the reform, switching from the Israel Electric Company to private suppliers, which is more than a million citizens who enjoy electricity at a discount of 7% – 20%.

Of the new entrants, 161,328 have basic home meters, 100,999 have smart home meters, and 17,173 have smart business meters. The total number of porters currently stands at 362,333.

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Finance, the Histadrut (Israel’s national labor federation) and the workers’ representative body have signed a new collective agreement for employees of Noga – the electricity system management company.

At the center of the agreement, which will apply to approximately 500 employees of the government company, which manages the operation, planning and trade in the electricity sector in Israel, is a modern and attractive salary structure – something that will strengthen the company’s long-term employment stability and make it possible to attract additional quality employees to the ranks of “Naga.”

Main points of the agreement:
• A percentage increase to the base salary of 3% starting in January of this year (as part of the framework agreement).
• A new salary structure for new employees by clusters and levels, with minimum and maximum ranges, update mechanisms, and differential promotion increments over the years.
• A transition path for existing employees to the new salary structure.
• A signing bonus of NIS 20,000 for employees with one year or more of seniority (and for employees with shorter seniority – a proportional bonus).
• Annual performance bonuses (bonuses) for all employees, according to defined criteria determined by management in consultation with the workers’ committee; broad eligibility for most employees in the target groups.
• Regulation of personal contracts: reduction and association of most personal contract holders with the collective agreement; delimitation of positions where employment under personal contracts and special conditions in defined cases is possible.
• Restrictions on outsourcing and a commitment to the gradual absorption of existing contractor employees for direct employment, subject to a designated track and in defined areas.

The agreement, which also includes horizontal salary increases and performance bonuses, will be valid until 2030.

IDF forces from the Judea Brigade destroyed the home of the terrorist who carried out the combined attack at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and additional civilians were injured. During the night (Thursday), IDF forces operated in Hebron in the Judea Brigade to destroy the home of the terrorist Imran al-Atrash. The terrorist, along with another terrorist, carried out the ramming and stabbing attack on November 18, 2025, at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and three additional civilians were injured. The destruction of the terrorist’s home constitutes a closing of the circle in the fight against terror.IDF forces from the Judea Brigade destroyed the home of the terrorist who carried out the combined attack at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and additional civilians were injured. During the night (Thursday), IDF forces operated in Hebron in the Judea Brigade to destroy the home of the terrorist Imran al-Atrash. The terrorist, along with another terrorist, carried out the ramming and stabbing attack on November 18, 2025, at the Gush Junction, where Aharon Cohen z”l was murdered and three additional civilians were injured. The destruction of the terrorist’s home constitutes a closing of the circle in the fight against terror.

An IDF reservist from the Jerusalem Brigade (16) was seriously injured yesterday (Tuesday) as a result of an accidental discharge in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldier was evacuated for medical treatment at a hospital and his family has been updated.

Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — According to the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, 541 Jewish doctors from around the world immigrated to Israel in the past year, and over 1,000 new immigrant doctors have joined the Israeli healthcare system in the past two years as part of a joint national program by the Ministry of Aliyah and Absorption, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Negev, the Galilee and National Resilience, the “Nefesh B’Nefesh” organization, and the Jewish Agency. According to forecasts, hundreds of additional doctors are expected to immigrate to Israel during 2026, strengthening public medical services throughout the country.

Of the doctors who came to Israel in the past year, 346 doctors were from the former Soviet Union, 93 from the US and Canada, 53 from France, 23 from South America, and the rest from other countries around the world. Many of the doctors have already been assigned to various medical positions in hospitals, health funds, and health organizations across the country, including Ichilov, Hadassah, Sheba, Shaare Zedek, Rambam, Soroka, Wolfson, HaEmek, Laniado, and Barzilai.