From the 'Amsterdam Model' to driver salary upgrades: The parties' platforms for public transportation
ynet publishes a comprehensive review of the various parties' platforms on public transportation ahead of the 2026 elections. The parties present different approaches: 'Beyahad' proposes a shift to a per-passenger compensation model ('Amsterdam Model'), 'HaDemokratim' commits to extensive budget investment and the purchase of 4,000 electric buses, 'Yisrael Beiteinu' focuses on infrastructure and the periphery, and 'Yashar!' calls for transferring authority to metropolitan authorities. Likud continues with a centralized approach and opposes public transportation on Shabbat. A forum of civil organizations demands deep reform and the dismantling of the Ministry of Transportation's centralization.
ynet publishes a comprehensive review of the various parties' platforms on public transportation ahead of the 2026 Knesset elections. The review presents the different approaches to solving the crisis, which includes traffic jams, a driver shortage, and long waits at stations. The 'Beyahad' party presents a comprehensive plan that includes a shift to a model compensating bus companies based on the actual number of passengers ('Amsterdam Model'), instead of the current per-kilometer compensation. 'HaDemokratim' commits to allocating 80% of the Ministry of Transportation's budget to public transportation, purchasing 4,000 electric buses, and advancing an emergency plan to address the driver shortage, including salary increases. 'Yisrael Beiteinu' focuses on increasing train and bus frequencies and establishing dedicated bus lanes. 'Yashar!' calls for the immediate passage of the Metropolitan Authorities Law. Likud continues with a centralized approach and opposes public transportation on Shabbat. A forum of civil organizations, including '15 Minutes' and 'Adam Teva V'Din', demands deep reform, dismantling the Ministry of Transportation's centralization, and establishing metropolitan transportation authorities. The organizations identify a shortage of about 5,000 drivers and demand a national emergency plan. The CEO of '15 Minutes', Sivan Shmuelovich, emphasizes the direct link between public transportation, the cost of living, and quality of life.