Jerusalem, 5 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A special security unit of the Ministry of Transportation has begun operating in public transportation, in several cities in the country in a “first of its kind” operation, with the aim of providing a real-time response to the phenomenon of Violence in public transportation and ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers.

The new unit will operate as a rapid and operational response force in the field, with an approach of zero tolerance for violence. The unit, which began operating today, will include teams mounted on motorcycles, a command-and-control center operating 24 hours a day, in full coordination with the Israel Police. The unit’s goal is to ensure rapid physical arrival at the scene of an incident, strengthen deterrence, immediately handle violent incidents, and increase the sense of security of drivers and passengers.

The move is being launched against the backdrop of a worrying increase in violent incidents against bus drivers, inspectors, and field workers. The Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety understood that handling the incident after the fact is not enough, and that an operational, present and rapid response is required on the ground itself, and this is now being implemented in practice.

The security unit operates as a dedicated and operational unit, with a short response time and physical arrival at the scene of the incident within a few minutes. The unit’s activities combine a visible presence, deterrence, immediate treatment and a real strengthening of the sense of security, for both drivers and passengers.

Gil Tanenbaum

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