A new transport terminal has opened in the west of Rishon Lezion and a high-speed lane has opened on the Ayalon highway heading north. Four free electric shuttle routes run from the terminal to business and shopping centers in Tel Aviv.
The terminal, aimed at residents of Shfela and the south of the country, includes approximately 3,500 parking spaces, 350 charging stations for electric vehicles and 500 spaces for bicycles.
Route 861 goes to Kiriya, Sarona and the center of Azrieli, 862 – to the Exchange area and to the Savidor station, 863 – to the area of Begin and Ha-Masger streets, 864 – to Yigal Alon street. Shuttles depart every five minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes at other times, from Sunday to Thursday from 06:00 to 22:45.
Private cars are not yet allowed to use the express lanes. This will become possible in 2027, after the launch of the passenger counting system. Cars with three or more passengers will be able to drive on the lanes for free, others will have to pay a dynamic tariff, which depends on the load and can reach 106 shekels per section.
The Netivey Ayalon company clarifies that shuttles and traffic speed will receive priority: if the flow on the lane slows down, the entry of private cars will be limited.
The expressway network now totals approximately 33 km in each direction along the Coastal Highway and Ayalon Highway. The terminal in Rishon Lezion complements the terminal in Shfayim, which opened in April: according to Netivey Ayalon, about 10 thousand passengers use it per day, and when fully loaded, the shuttles are capable of transporting 30 thousand people per day.
In 2027, it is also planned to open reversible lanes (with changing directions of traffic) – first between Wingate and Shfayim, then between Wingate and highway No. 57 in the Netanya area.