Israel’s Ministry of Transportation is working to improve service on dozens of bus lines, some already benefiting from the decision while others are in line for the upgrade. This includes the introduction of new lines as well.

Ministry officials explain the plan will result in the addition of 6 million kilometers annually in the form of added bus service at a cost of 46 million NIS a year. This includes launching new lines between locales which were not connected previously by direct bus service. The plan also resulted in additional buses on existing lines, resulting in increased frequency in buses on those lines. 80 new buses have been purchased towards actualizing the increased service program.

One example is in Beit Shemesh in which the service is operated by Superbus, the daily HaMevaser reports. The plan impacts both intra and inter-city lines. The 414 bus line is being added, towards providing 57 weekly buses between Beit Shemesh and Elad. The new 413 line will service commuters traveling between Beit Shemesh and Rishon L’tzion with 44 buses weekly. The 424 line to and from Telshe Stone will be upgraded to 32 buses weekly. The 412 express service to and from Tel Aviv , which operates on Sundays and Thursdays only, will have 8 buses weekly and also operate on erev Shabbos and motzei Shabbos beginning in April 2013.

The ministry also authorized two additional lines, the 15 and 17, both intra-city in Beit Shemesh. The 15 line will connect between Ramat Beit Shemesh and the train station and the Big Center.

There are additional changes regarding service to and from Beit Shemesh, as well as in the Modi’in Illit area. Regarding the latter, Superbus will increase service on the 4 and 6 lines, as well as to the 5 lines which connects Brechfeld and the city center.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)