Israel Railways announced Sunday afternoon that train operations would resume usual operations shortly after a technical signalling malfunction in the Shefayim area caused delays earlier in the day throughout Israel.
The delays came after train operations were renewed Saturday night following temporary closures of lines for infrastructure work last week traveling from northern Israel to Tel Aviv.
With around half of the country’s trains delayed, overcrowding on carriages and packed platforms became a common sight.
From the Tel Aviv HaShalom train station, trains were delayed bound for Rehovot by 45 minutes, to Modi’in by 50 minutes, to Be’er Sheva by 50 minutes, to Rishon LeZion by 40 minutes, and to Hod HaSharon by half an hour.
“Due to a signalling malfunction in the Shefayim area delays were registered in the train network,” Israel Railways said in a statement.
Train lines heading for Beit Shemesh, Ashkelon and Rishonim will conclude their journeys at the Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station due to the malfunction.
“I have been waiting for more than half an hour for the train and it still isn’t here,” complained Yoav, who was waiting to travel from Ha’Shalom train station to Be’er Sheva.
“As it is, Sunday is already packed because of soldiers (going to their bases—ed.) and now there’s already a malfunction after the trains were closed.”
Leah, a single mother working two jobs, was outraged over the train delays from Modi’in to Tel Aviv. “I had to pay NIS 150 for a taxi to get to an urgent meeting on time,” she vented.
“The southbound train from Netanya that was supposed to leave at 8:51am was canceled,” another frustrated passenger told Ynet. “The passengers were asked to switch to another train that got to the platform at 8:57am and after two minutes the journey was stopped.”
First published: 11:22, 02.25.18