Israel’s Transportation Ministry is preparing a broad expansion of public transportation services for the upcoming Tishrei season, with additional trains and buses, extended late-night service in Yerushalayim, and special arrangements at Ben Gurion Airport as tens of thousands of travelers head to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

At the direction of Transportation and Road Safety Minister Miri Regev, ministry director-general Moshe Ben Zaken conducted a readiness assessment involving senior ministry officials, infrastructure companies, the National Public Transport Authority, aviation and maritime authorities, and other agencies.

Officials were instructed to expand transportation services, deploy additional personnel in the field and maintain the ability to rapidly shift from routine operations to an emergency footing if circumstances require it.

Ben Gurion Airport is expected to be one of the most heavily congested transportation hubs, in large part because of the tens of thousands of passengers traveling to Uman. The Israel Airports Authority and airlines are preparing by increasing staffing, expanding passenger services, making arrangements for unusual baggage requirements and strengthening coordination among the various agencies operating at the airport.

Israel’s maritime transportation system is also preparing for the holiday period. The Shipping and Ports Authority, port companies and operators at the country’s seaports are planning to maintain passenger and cargo traffic throughout the Yom Tov period, with operational teams and situation rooms remaining on standby.

Israel Railways will modify its operations to accommodate changing passenger demand during the Tishrei season. Train schedules will be adjusted for the holiday period, with particular attention given to the expected increase in passengers traveling to Yerushalayim for Selichos and during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah.

Further railway adjustments are planned for Chol Hamoed, when service will be tailored to areas experiencing especially heavy passenger traffic.

At the same time, the National Public Transport Authority is preparing to increase both urban and intercity bus service. Additional buses and more frequent service are planned for Erev Yom Tov, immediately following Yom Tov and throughout Chol Hamoed.

Yerushalayim will receive special attention because of the tens of thousands of visitors and mispallelim expected to travel to the Old City and the Kosel during the coming weeks.

Under a new pilot program, the city’s light rail and bus services will continue operating until later at night, providing additional transportation options for those attending Selichos and other gatherings.

Separate preparations are underway for the large Hataras Nedarim gathering on Erev Rosh Hashanah. Transportation arrangements for the event are being coordinated between the Transportation Ministry, Israel Police and the Yerushalayim Municipality.

On Israel’s highways, infrastructure companies have been instructed to focus on keeping major routes open, quickly addressing hazards and minimizing disruptions to traffic.

Netivei Israel’s situation room will remain on alert, while response teams will be stationed at locations around the country with the goal of reaching incidents within approximately 20 minutes.

Authorities also plan increased cleaning operations along major transportation routes. Teams will remain prepared for weather-related incidents and other unexpected developments that could interfere with traffic during the busy holiday period.

“Under Minister Regev’s instructions, all the ministry’s companies and agencies are entering the holiday period at a high level of readiness. We will monitor operations in real time, adjust our responses to congestion and maintain continuity of service across all branches of transportation. The public will encounter more teams in the field, reinforced service and a focused response at areas of high demand,” Ben Zaken said.

{Matzav.com}