ISRAEL Railways (IR), which published its first half results on August 30, recorded an operational loss of Shekels 13.2m ($US 3.6m) in the first half of 2018, with a total loss Shekels 11.5m. Revenue was up 3% from Shekels 1.205bn in 2017 to Shekels 1.245bn.

TEL AVIV Metropolitan Mass Transit System (NTA) has issued an invitation to prequalify for tenders for the LRT Green and Purple Lines.

THE first electrically-hauled test train on Israel’s A1 Link between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem has travelled on the final section of the 57km new line and reached Jerusalem Navon (formerly Hauma) station.

ISRAEL’s transport minister has revived plans to build a new line from Rosh-Ha-Ayin via Petakh-Tikva in the center of Israel east to Ariel, but rather than constructing it as a heavy-rail line it will now be built as a tram-train.

ISRAEL’s transport minister Mr Israel Katz announced on May 18 that the 57km A1 Link between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will now open on September 23.

SEVEN of the eight groups prequalified by Israel’s Finance Ministry for the Jerusalem Green Line light rail project have been invited to bid for the tender.

ISRAEL Railways (IR) recorded a sharp decline in operating profti from Shekels 73m ($US 20.7m) in 2016 to Shekels 15m last year, with a net profit of Shekels 13m. This was due to a pay increase for its employees, the recruitment of 297 additional staff, and increased expenses.