Full Breakdown
Jerusalem’s Green Line L3 Light-Rail Segment Opens After Nearly a Decade of Delays
8/29/2026, 9:48:12 PM
Opening of the Green Line L3 Segment
The first phase of the Green Line, designated L3, began public service this week, linking HaTurim station in western Jerusalem to the Malha Mall in the south. The seven-kilometre route adds 12 new stations to the city’s rail network, creating the first opportunity for riders to transfer between two light-rail lines. A light-rail car was photographed at HaTurim on August 20, 2026, confirming the line’s operational status.
Background and Development
City Council approved the Green Line project in 2016, and tenders were issued shortly thereafter. Construction stretched across nearly ten years, hampered by regional fighting with Iran that disrupted work schedules. The L3 opening arrives ten years later than the original target, which had envisioned full completion of the Green Line by 2025. Earlier extensions of the Red Line—Jerusalem’s first light-rail corridor—also faced repeated postponements before finally opening.
Official Statements & Responses
Transportation Minister Miri Regev toured the line with the mayor and highlighted the project as part of a broader “public transport revolution” for Israel’s major metropolitan areas. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attended the ceremony, underscoring governmental support for the infrastructure effort.
Data and Projected Impact
The Red Line, operating for 15 years, carries roughly 200,000 riders daily. Planners anticipate that the expanded light-rail network could eventually serve up to 400,000 passengers per day, easing Jerusalem’s status as one of the OECD’s most congested traffic environments. The L4 segment, slated for December, will connect the Central Bus Station to Gilo and is expected to benefit more than 100,000 residents currently underserved by rail. Longer-term plans include the Blue Line, a 24-kilometre corridor with 40 stations projected for launch between 2029 and 2030.
Verbatim Quote
“Jerusalem continues to lead Israel’s public transport revolution and to demonstrate the direction in which we are taking transport in the major metropolitan areas: fast, efficient, interconnected, and accessible mass transit networks,” — Miri Regev, transportation minister
