A new initiative by the Transportation Ministry plans to expand the availability of public transportation in the West Bank.
The plan includes an outline for the short term up until 2025, medium term up to 2035, and the long term up to 2045.
Building infrastructure in the West Bank is a project faced with several obstacles, such as dealing with the large area the plan has to cover, and navigating the multiple ruling bodies in the area such as the local councils, the IDF and the Palestinian Authority.
"Today is an exciting day for the settlements and for the State of Israel, which is building and is being built in all areas of the country," said Transportation Minister Miri Regev.
"After listening to the needs of the people in the field, and seeing the strategic needs of the area, I am proud to present the result of this process we've had at our office, which presents a holistic vision to all fields of transportation and which supports future plans for the area," she said. "I am glad to say that the plan was made in cooperation with the local authorities which incorporates both local needs and national vision."
"It's exciting to see the plan for transportation in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Rift Valley after 53 years of settlements existing," said Yesha Council head David Elhayani. Addressing Regev, he said that "you were given the right to enact this plan. Had it been made 10 years ago, [it] would have brought about 10 million Israelis to live here.
"This plan connects the settlements to the rest of the country and acts as de facto sovereignty," he said. "It's time to turn it into a practical thing in the area."
Gov't launches initiative to expand public transportation in West Bank
The plan includes an outline for the near term in 2025, medium term in 2035, and the long term in 2045 • Elhayani: "This plan acts as de facto sovereignty."
