Israel Railways Launches First Double-Deck Freight Train

A state-of-the-art freight train equipped with double-deck cargo facilities has been launched today. This move is led by the Ministry of Transport, under the leadership of Transport Minister Miri Regev, as part of a comprehensive policy to expand rail freight and reduce road congestion.

The train, which departed from Israel Shipyards Port towards Kiryat Gat, carried 'steel platforms', double-deck facilities that allow doubling the amount of steel coils transported in each wagon. This innovation is expected to streamline the goods movement process, reduce the number of trucks on the roads, and save manpower in loading and unloading processes.

Israel Railways already operates about 20 such facilities, and by the end of the month, their number will reach 50. This will allow the transport of up to 50 tons of steel coils per wagon (instead of 25 today), and later even carry up to 2,000 tons of cargo in a whole train, a move that will remove hundreds of trucks from the roads every day.

In the past year, as part of the Ministry of Transport's policy, Israel Railways has connected all Mediterranean Sea ports to the national rail network, and also renewed the movement of freight trains at the Beit Shemesh terminal. Each freight train replaces between 60 and 70 heavy trucks, providing significant transport, environmental, and economic benefits, including reducing congestion and pollution, improving safety, reducing road infrastructure wear and tear, and lowering transport costs that affect the final product price.

This move is part of the strategic development plans led by Minister Regev to upgrade the railway in Israel, including the fourth track in Ayalon, electrification of railways, development of freight terminals, expansion of double tracks and inter-regional connections, from a national perception that the railway should serve as a central anchor in public transport and in serving the Israeli economy.

Transport Minister Miri Regev: 'The train is the backbone of the national transport system in passenger transport, and my vision is that it will also play a central role in cargo transport. Each freight train removes dozens of trucks from the road and contributes to reducing congestion, reducing pollution, improving safety, and lowering the cost of living. The Ministry of Transport continues to lead ambitious development plans for the development of the national railway network from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat, plans that also include a significant strengthening of the cargo transport system.'

CEO of Israel Railways, Shiko Zana: 'The use of double-deck facilities is an excellent example of the impressive efficiency processes we have led in recent years in the cargo division of Israel Railways. Alongside advanced railway connections to the Mediterranean Sea ports, which significantly contribute to the economic benefit of the economy, we continue to promote infrastructure and development projects across the country, with the aim of providing a quality response to the growing demands, contributing to the recovery of the Israeli economy and reducing road congestion through safer, greener, and more efficient cargo transport.'