Jerusalem, 2 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The government approved the Ministry of Transportation’s request to extend the validity of the plan to strengthen the city of Beit Shemesh. The plan has been extended until the end of 2027.
The extension of the validity is intended to allow the completion of the transportation sections within the original plan as well as the continued advancement of the transportation projects required for the rapidly developing city.
Beit Shemesh is facing one of the highest population growth rates in Israel, with the city’s population growing by approximately 40% between 2020 and 2025. As a result, the city is experiencing a significant gap between the demand for infrastructure and services and the municipal ability to provide them. The plan is intended to help cope with the growth and accelerate the completion of the infrastructure required for residents.
As part of the extension of the decision, it was determined that the Ministry of Transportation will complete the budgeting of the transportation sections that have not yet been implemented, spread over the years 2026–2027, with a total amount of approximately 147 million Shekels ($47 million).
The bulk of the budget is intended to promote a network of priority routes for public transportation, with 97 million Shekels ($31 million) allocated for statutory planning and the implementation of bus stops in central sections of the city.
The Ministry of Transportation sees the implementation of the plan as a key means of reducing gaps, strengthening social and economic stability, and improving the quality of life of residents of the city of Beit Shemesh.