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Israel Railways announced on Sunday that all train lines will return to full operation on Monday, bringing an end to nearly a week of major disruptions across the country’s transport network.
The closures, which began last Tuesday, were triggered by infrastructure damage and urgent safety work in the areas of Ganot and Vitkin.
The disruptions significantly affected services connecting southern Israel to Tel Aviv, particularly routes terminating at the Tel Aviv HaHagana station. According to Israel Railways, the shutdown provided an unexpected opportunity to accelerate additional safety projects.
Repairs originally scheduled for September were merged with the current restoration work, ensuring that essential upgrades to tracks and systems between Tel Aviv HaHagana and Hashalom stations could be completed sooner than expected.
“While the closures caused inconvenience, this concentrated effort allows us to strengthen rail infrastructure and improve long-term safety and reliability,” the company said in a statement.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who toured repair sites alongside Israel Railways workers on August 21, emphasized the importance of completing the work swiftly to minimize disruption.
“Our priority is ensuring both safety and efficiency for passengers,” she said. “By advancing projects now, we are preventing future interruptions that would have impacted travel later in the year.”
To ease the burden on commuters during the week of disruptions, Israel Railways coordinated with other transport providers.
Free shuttle buses were offered to bridge connections between Tel Aviv and northern Israel, as well as between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv light rail system increased its service frequency to absorb some of the passenger load.
Many travelers expressed frustration over the timing of the closures but welcomed the compensatory measures. “It was difficult, especially for daily commuters,” said Yael Cohen, who travels between Haifa and Tel Aviv for work. “But the shuttles helped, and knowing the repairs are finished is a relief.”
The decision to advance safety work reflects ongoing efforts by Israel Railways to modernize and upgrade its infrastructure, particularly in high-traffic urban centers.
The Tel Aviv metropolitan area, one of the busiest commuter hubs in the country, has long faced challenges with congestion and delays, making such repairs critical to long-term efficiency.
Officials indicated that the completed work will reduce the likelihood of future disruptions and allow trains to run more reliably during peak travel hours.
With operations set to resume in full on Monday, Israel Railways assured passengers that services across all lines, including long-distance routes, will run according to regular schedules.
For Israel’s rail commuters, the return to normalcy marks the end of a turbulent week. While the disruption underscored the fragility of the country’s transport infrastructure, it also highlighted the urgency of continued investment in upgrades to support a growing population and demand for reliable travel.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members