In line with a new decision, beginning on September 6, 2012, the right shoulder of the Coastal Road (Route 2) between Polag Interchange in S. Netanya and Kfar Shmaryahu Junction will be a bus lane only.

In an ongoing effort to persuade motorists to leave their cars at home and use public transportation, Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz is working to add more express lanes for the exclusive use of buses in the hope of speeding up intercity bus routes.

According to the HaMevaser report, buses will be using the shoulder as an express lane during the morning rush hour from 06:30-09:30, citing this is among the most congested routes in the country during these hours.

In recent months, following conclusive testing by road safety experts, the decision was made to permit using the shoulder and construction began to widen the lane, repave, place barriers on location for added safety and of course signs detailing the limited transportation lane designation.

The bus route now spans a 12 kilometer (7.2 miles) length and Minister Katz foresees extending the bus lane to Sira Interchange in the coming months. From there, the bus lane will be extended to Glilot Junction and connect to the existing Tel Aviv bus lane via Merkaz HaShalom and HaMazger Street to LaGuardia Street.

Katz says as a result of the public bus lane the trip should take 30 minutes. Experts predict the exclusive lane will cut the bus route by 20%. Katz adds that the new route will be monitored and evaluated towards deciding on future stages of the roadway. Officials plan to add at least 10% more buses during the critical morning hours to accommodate expected increased ridership.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)