The Dankal Red Line light rail started operation on Friday morning, with the departure of three trains from stations in Petah Tikva and Bat Yam at 5:40 a.m.
The NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System website describes the new train as the "backbone of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area's mass transit system." The light rail passes through some of the most crowded areas in Gush Dan and serves many diverse populations.
Currently, the Red Line operates with a low frequency of trains, with one train every six minutes and not every three and a half minutes, due to the speed limit in certain sections.
'A holiday for Israel'
The Red Lines connects five municipalities: Petah Tikvah, Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv – Jaffa and Bat Yam. There are 34 stations along the line, including 10 underground stations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Energy Minister Israel Katz held a festive ceremony at the Tel Aviv station on Thursday - although they were met by protestors outside.
"Those who support us and those who oppose us – everyone will use this train," Netanyahu said during his speech. "This is a holiday for Israel. Today we are fulfilling Israel's transportation vision – we promised and delivered. We promised to connect the cities, within and between the counties – and we are doing all three things."
Many Tel Aviv residents hoped the light rail would operate on Shabbat. However, last week, the government announced it would be closed.
The primary justification for the decision is its trajectory through Bnei Brak, a highly concentrated ultra-Orthodox community. Moreover, considering the current government composition, the likelihood of this proposal being approved was exceedingly slim.