Metronit
Encyclopedia
The Metronit will be a new bus rapid transit
system in Haifa
, Israel
, using the Phileas
concept. This bus line is unique to Israel in that it will use bi-articulated buses on specific routes. The choice of this mode of transport was due to the advantage of limiting damage to environment, increased capacity on existing roads and reduced operating costs compared to a standard bus
or light rail
line.
The buses, operating with hybrid
engines, will follow set routes along a magnetic or optical strip embedded in the road.
The name was chosen for several reasons, among them: The similarity with the existing Carmelit
and Shkhunatit (an internal neighbourhood minibus
system).
The project is being developed by Yefe Nof, owned by Haifa city hall, involved in planning public transportation, infrastructure, and other building projects in the Haifa metropolitan area.
The Metronit is set to be completed in 2011, and a tender for its operation was published in September 2009. On August 4, 2010, it was announced that Dan
won the tender to operate the system for 12 years. The system will employ about 100 18m long high-capacity buses on three lines, with a total length of 40 km. The cost of the system is estimated at 1.5 billion NIS
(approximately $400 million US).
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
system in Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, using the Phileas
Phileas (public transport)
Phileas is high quality public transport, developed by Samenwerkingsverband Regio Eindhoven , Netherlands, along with some other companies for the Cooperation Foundation Eindhoven Region...
concept. This bus line is unique to Israel in that it will use bi-articulated buses on specific routes. The choice of this mode of transport was due to the advantage of limiting damage to environment, increased capacity on existing roads and reduced operating costs compared to a standard bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
or light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
line.
The buses, operating with hybrid
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
engines, will follow set routes along a magnetic or optical strip embedded in the road.
The name was chosen for several reasons, among them: The similarity with the existing Carmelit
Carmelit
The Carmelit is an underground funicular railway in Haifa, Israel. Construction started in 1956 and ended in 1959. The Carmelit was closed in 1986 after showing signs of aging...
and Shkhunatit (an internal neighbourhood minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
system).
The project is being developed by Yefe Nof, owned by Haifa city hall, involved in planning public transportation, infrastructure, and other building projects in the Haifa metropolitan area.
The Metronit is set to be completed in 2011, and a tender for its operation was published in September 2009. On August 4, 2010, it was announced that Dan
Dan Bus Company
Dan Bus Company is an Israeli bus company based in Tel Aviv. It operates local bus service in the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area as well as some intercity bus services between the Gush Dan area and nearby regions such as Samaria, and a connection between Bne Brak and Jerusalem. Dan operates 1,200...
won the tender to operate the system for 12 years. The system will employ about 100 18m long high-capacity buses on three lines, with a total length of 40 km. The cost of the system is estimated at 1.5 billion NIS
Israeli new sheqel
The Israeli New Shekel is the currency of the State of Israel. The shekel is divided into 100 agorot...
(approximately $400 million US).