Electric Train Revolution Progresses: The Valley Line on Track for Full Electrification

The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety and Israel Railways are completing another significant milestone in the railway electrification revolution and in implementing the strategic development plan to connect the north to the center of the country with an advanced, fast, and green rail network.

During a discussion held today (Monday) in the National Infrastructure Committee (VATL), the full plan for electrifying The Valley Line was presented. With the advancement of the plan, the entire rail network on this line is available for electrification. This is part of the completion of the deployment of a national electric train network.

The electrification project will enable the operation of modern, environmentally friendly, and quiet electric trains, which will improve the service and railway precision. So far, about 800 kilometers of track have been converted to electricity out of the planned 1,200 kilometers. At the current stage, about half of the approximately 300 trains operating daily are already electric.

Operating modern electric trains on The Valley Line is expected to significantly improve the service for tens of thousands of passengers in the north, shorten travel times, increase the frequency of trains, reduce air pollution and noise, and make the train an attractive and comfortable alternative to the private car.

The electrification plan of The Valley Line includes the establishment of an advanced electrical infrastructure for operating electric trains along about 60 kilometers of track, from Haifa East, through Yokneam Kfar Yehoshua, Migdal HaEmek Kfar Baruch, Afula named after Rafael Eitan, and up to Beit She'an named after David Levy. The electrification of the line will be integrated during a wide-ranging process led by the ministry to strengthen the north, connect the periphery to employment and education centers, and deepen transportation equality among all regions of the country.

In the past two years, the electricity infrastructure in the western Negev and Be'er Sheva has been advancing. Soon, electric lines will be operated up to Ofakim, and later Be'er Sheva, Kiryat Gat, Lehavim Rahat, Mazkeret Batya, and Kiryat Malachi will join. In the north, work began last year to electrify the lines in Nahariya, Acre, Atlit, Carmiel, and Ahihud.

Transport Minister Miri Regev: "The electrification revolution of Israel Railways is a significant component in strengthening the public transportation system across the country. The electrification of The Valley Line is another strategic step in the 'Connecting Israel' vision, which connects the north to the center, improves the quality of life of the residents, reduces social gaps, and directly contributes to the fight against pollution and the cost of living. We continue to invest in advanced railway infrastructures across the country, from the north to the south."