Israel Railways claims that the operation of a fast rail link between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will only be possible if electric trains are used. Israel Railways has obtained an external opinion from Dutch engineering consulting firm KOAC-NPC supporting its claim, which it has submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport.
KOAC-NPC's opinion contradicts the findings of Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), which was commissioned by the Ministry of Finance. PB said several months ago, that electrifying the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem line was not essential, and raised doubts about the necessity of the railway electrification project in general. Yesterday's meeting about the project at the offices of Transport Ministry director general Gideon Siterman failed to make progress.
The opinion submitted by Israeli Railways says that the journey time from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by diesel train will be 15% longer than on electric train. Israel Railways argues that the longer traveling times on diesel trains will cause a significant reduction in demand and revenue from railway services, especially during off-peak hours.
Israel Railways added that the opinion attached special importance to the electrification of the suburban railway lines in the Gush Dan region, first of which should be the route from Ashkelon to Raanana and Kfar Saba, via Rishon LeZion West and Tel Aviv.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 14, 2008
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