The dispute over Netanya’s Red Line public transport route through Ramat Poleg\u2013Ir Yamim continues. On Wednesday, 11 November 2026, residents held a second meeting with project representatives. According to NetanyaNet, they expected concrete answers on safety and quality of life, but much of the session consisted of general explanations.<\/p>\n
Residents had been promised an in-person meeting at the Ir Yamim community centre, but it took place on Zoom. Taking part were representatives of Netivei Ayalon, the state company building the project, senior Netanya municipal officials and concerned residents. A previous meeting with committee representatives had been held about two weeks earlier.<\/p>\n
Residents stress that they do not oppose the Red Line itself but the bus-priority (BRT) lane planned along Poleg’s quiet residential streets. They asked why the lane must run inside the neighbourhood, how it will affect traffic and what the transport justification is, noting that buses leaving the area often run empty. They asked how thousands of children who cross the road every day to school, friends and activities will be protected, and warned that turning the central street into a six-lane road would have serious consequences. The maps shown, they said, dealt with main roads and did not address residential streets.<\/p>\n
The project is promoted by the Transport Ministry and Netivei Ayalon together with the municipality. It will link the city from south to north, from Ramat Poleg to Ein HaTchelet, with about 24 km of public transport priority lanes. The route passes Poleg beach and the Ir Yamim mall, the government complex and central bus station, the city centre, Herzl Street, the municipal market, Nitza Boulevard, Kiryat Sanz and Laniado Hospital before heading north to Ein HaTchelet. It also includes cycle paths, new stops, upgraded infrastructure and pavements, and public-space improvements.<\/p>\n
On the third lane, representatives said it would replace the central divider and the left-turn lane, and that the design is based on measurements and on-site adjustments. Pedestrians will be directed to signal-controlled crossings. According to the figures presented, 844 trees will be kept, 411 felled and 1,156 new ones planted; the trees were assessed under Amendment 89 of the law, with an agronomist reviewing their value and location.<\/p>\n
Many questions remained open. At the end, project representatives acknowledged they had not answered everything and pledged to publish answers to all questions on the municipal website. Residents left feeling that the focused discussion they had asked for did not happen.<\/p>\n
Poleg residents had earlier launched a fundraising drive to fight the current route and protested against plans for Zalman Shazar Street.<\/p>\n