Israel Railways CEO: Commuters switch to trains as petrol prices up

Harel noted that Israel Railways projected an 8-9% increase in passenger traffic in 2008 due to a severe shortage of rolling stock
 
Israel Railways CEO Yitzhak Harel said at a Ministry of Transport conference held last Friday that the number of train passengers has risen 15% since January 2008. He added that Israel Railways' revenue was up for the period by 13.5%
 
The increase in passengers has been driven by rising petrol prices which have pushed commuters to use more railway services.
 
Harel noted that Israel Railways projected an 8-9% increase in passenger traffic in 2008 due to a severe shortage of rolling stock.
 
The shortage because of delay in deliveries by Siemens AG has forced Israel Railways to increase the number of trains by operating obsolete rolling stock.