(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

The inauguration of the express train line from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv took place on Thursday, 11 Tishrei 5779, in the presence of the prime minister and other senior state officials. The event took place at noon. Travel time for the line between the cities is less than 30 minutes.

The express train line will arrive at the initial stage, only to the station at Ben-Gurion Airport and not to the Tel Aviv stations as planned, due to the failure to complete the infrastructure work on portions of the route of the express train.

The express line project from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv is considered the largest and most significant project of the Ministry of Transport and is one of the most complex engineering and technological projects ever undertaken in Israel. The cost of the express line is estimated at NIS 7 billion.

The project includes a double track length of 56 kilometers. Works on the train included the mining of five tunnels, 38 kilometers in length and eight bridges totaling 7.5 kilometers. The line passes through an 11-kilometer-long tunnel, considered to be the longest in Israel, and over a bridge about 100 meters high and considered the tallest bridge in Israel.

The train will operate at a relatively minimum frequency of one train per hour in each direction. This frequency will increase gradually after the run-in phase to two trains per hour, and finally to a frequency of four trains per hour. During the first three months, the trip is expected to be free in both directions.

During the initial stage, the first three months, one will have to obtain a ticket via the railway website as tickets will not be available at the stations.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)