Do the shuttles to Gush Dan really shorten the commute - and make us give up our cars?

Two weeks after the opening of the second phase of the fast lane project at the Ayalon entrance, a test drive by Kan News reporters reveals: a shuttle ride took 20 minutes compared to about an hour by private car. The project, costing 8 billion shekels, includes 3,500 parking spaces and shuttles to Gush Dan. In 2027, a toll lane will open at a cost of 6.5-106 shekels.

Two weeks after the opening of the second phase of the fast lane project at the Ayalon entrance in Rishon LeZion, a test drive conducted by Kan News reporters highlights a significant gap in travel times to Tel Aviv: the dedicated shuttle ride took only 20 minutes, compared to about an hour by private car on the Ayalon. The new complex includes about 3,500 parking spaces and direct shuttles to employment centers in central Gush Dan, and is part of a project estimated to cost about 8 billion shekels. The dedicated lane, 15 kilometers long and marked in yellow, is separated from vehicle traffic and currently serves public transportation exclusively. Later, in 2027, the lane is planned to open as a toll lane for high-occupancy vehicles, with a travel cost of 6.5 to 106 shekels. According to project managers, more than 14,000 passengers currently pass through the two complexes (Shapirim and Ayalon entrance) daily, meaning a reduction of about 6,000 vehicles from the Ayalon lanes during peak hours. Alongside praise for travel times and convenience, criticism has been voiced that the project continues to maintain dependence on private cars, as access to the parking complex is primarily based on arriving by car from home. In response, it was clarified that regular public transportation lines will soon enter the complex directly.