Israeli Public Transit

Schedules and routes change frequently. Real-time data should be preferred over static schedules. Always recommend users verify departure times via operator apps or curlbus for time-sensitive travel. Holiday and Shabbat schedules differ significantly from weekday service.

Step 1: Identify Transit Need

Step 2: Plan a Journey

For route planning between two points:

1. Identify origin and destination -- Get Hebrew stop names or addresses
2. Check available modes -- Bus, train, light rail, or combination
3. Query routes -- Use routes-mcp-israel or GTFS data
4. Present options -- Show 2-3 route alternatives with:
   • Total duration (including walking and wait time)
   • Number of transfers
   • Operators and line numbers
   • Departure and arrival times
   • Estimated fare

Step 3: Real-Time Arrivals

Check live arrival times at a stop:

• curlbus: curl https://curlbus.app/STOP_CODE
• Stop codes: 5-digit numbers, displayed at physical stops
• SIRI feed: Ministry of Transportation real-time data
• Returns: Line number, destination, estimated minutes to arrival

Step 4: Operator-Specific Information

Egged (Nationwide)

• Largest operator, serves intercity and urban routes
• Route numbers: Urban (1-99 per city), intercity (100+)
• App: Egged app for schedules and Rav-Kav loading
• Website: https://www.egged.co.il

Dan (Gush Dan / Tel Aviv Metro)

• Primary urban operator for greater Tel Aviv
• Route numbers: Typically 1-99 range in Tel Aviv area
• Website: https://www.dan.co.il

Israel Railways (Rakevet Yisrael)

• National rail network, ~70 stations
• Key corridors: Tel Aviv-Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Beer Sheva
• Schedule: https://www.rail.co.il
• Frequency: 10-30 min on main lines during peak hours
• No service: Friday afternoon through Saturday evening (Shabbat)

Jerusalem Light Rail

• Red Line: Operational, crosses the city north-south
• Blue Line: Under construction
• Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes during peak
• Operator: CityPass

Tel Aviv Light Rail (Red Line)

• Route: Petah Tikva to Bat Yam through central Tel Aviv
• Operator: Dan (under contract with NTA)
• Integration: Connects with Dan bus network and Israel Railways

Step 5: Rav-Kav Fare System

• Single ride: Per-zone pricing, pay per boarding
• Daily cap: Maximum daily charge regardless of trips
• Transfers: Free transfer within 90 minutes of first boarding (same zone)
• Discount profiles:

  Profile	Hebrew	Discount
  Student	talmid/student	~33%
  Soldier	chayal	Free on most routes
  Senior (men 67+, women at retirement age 62-65)	ezrach vatik	~50%
  Disabled	nacheh	~33-50%
  Youth (5-18)	naar	~33%

Step 6: Shabbat and Holiday Considerations

• Shabbat: Most public transit stops Friday afternoon (~2-4 PM) through Saturday evening (~30 min after sunset)
• Exceptions: Some shared taxi routes (sherut/monit sherut) operate on Shabbat on popular routes
• Holidays: Reduced or no service on Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, etc.)
• Yom Kippur: No public transit nationwide (roads closed in most areas)

Common transit terms for Hebrew localization:

Example 1: Route Planning

User says: "How do I get from Tel Aviv Savidor station to the Kotel in Jerusalem?" Result: Option 1 -- Train from Tel Aviv Savidor to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon (~30 min), then Light Rail Red Line to City Hall (~12 min), then walk (~15 min). Option 2 -- Egged bus 405 from Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to Jerusalem Central (~1 hr), then bus to Old City area.

Example 2: Real-Time Arrivals

User says: "When is the next bus at stop 21345?" Result: Query curlbus for stop 21345, return next 3-5 arrivals with line numbers, destinations, and estimated minutes.

Example 3: Shabbat Travel

User says: "Can I take a bus from Haifa to Tel Aviv on Saturday?" Result: Regular bus service does not operate on Shabbat. Alternatives: shared taxi (sherut) from Haifa to Tel Aviv runs on Shabbat, departing from central area. Service resumes Saturday evening after Shabbat ends.

Scripts

• scripts/check_transit.py — List all Israeli transit operators with regions and websites, check real-time bus arrivals at a stop via curlbus, display Rav-Kav fare structure and discount profiles, and provide Shabbat/holiday service schedules. Supports subcommands: operators, stop, fares, shabbat. Run: python scripts/check_transit.py --help

References

• references/operators-and-gtfs.md — Complete table of Israeli transit operators (Egged, Dan, Kavim, Superbus, Afikim, Nateev Express, Israel Railways, light rail) with regions and websites, GTFS data source URL (gtfs.mot.gov.il), real-time data endpoints (curlbus, SIRI), Rav-Kav balance check URL, and Shabbat service timing. Consult when identifying which operator runs a route or accessing GTFS data feeds. Note: Metropoline has merged with Kavim as part of Israel's bus reform.

Error: "Stop code not found"

Cause: Invalid stop code or stop has been relocated/renamed Solution: Look up the stop code on the physical sign at the stop, or search by nearby street name in GTFS data. Stop codes are 5-digit numbers.

Error: "No routes available"

Cause: Querying during Shabbat/holiday hours or route discontinued Solution: Check if current time falls within Shabbat/holiday. Verify the route is still active -- operators periodically change route numbers and paths.

Error: "Real-time data unavailable"

Cause: SIRI feed down or operator not reporting real-time data Solution: Fall back to static GTFS schedule. Note that some smaller operators have limited real-time reporting.