The Jerusalem Light Rail (Hebrew: הרכבת הקלה בירושלים, HaRakevet HaKala Birushalayim) is a light rail line, the first of several rapid transit lines planned in Jerusalem. Construction began in 2002 and ended in 2010, when the testing phase began. It was built by the CityPass consortium, which has a 30-year concession to operate it. Construction also involved building the Jerusalem Chords Bridge and various renovation projects around the city.
After repeated delays due to archaeological findings and other issues, service began, initially free of charge, on August 19, 2011. It became fully operative on December 1, 2011. The line is 13.9 kilometers (8.6 mi) long with 23 stops. Extensions are planned to the north to Neve Ya'akov and to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital to the southwest. When completed, these will extend the line's length to 22.5km.
The project was criticized for exceeding its budget, its route through East Jerusalem and contributing to air and noise pollution during construction. While some newspapers have reported friction between Jewish and Arab passengers and a woman soldier was stabbed by a Palestinian while riding the train, others have praised the atmosphere of coexistence.
Read more about Jerusalem Light Rail: History, Construction, Rolling Stock, Operation, Archaeological Findings
Other articles related to "jerusalem light rail, light rail, jerusalem":
... While tracks for the light rail were being laid in Shuafat, the remains of an ancient Roman–Jewish settlement were discovered ... The findings are said be the first indication of active Jewish settlement in the Jerusalem area after the city fell in 70 CE ...
Famous quotes containing the words rail, jerusalem and/or light:
“Old man, it’s four flights up and for what?
Your room is hardly any bigger than your bed.
Puffing as you climb, you are a brown woodcut
stooped over the thin rail and the wornout tread.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“Comfort, comfort ye my people, speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
comfort those who sit in darkness mourning ‘neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them;
tell her that her sins I cover, and her warfare now is over.”
—Johann G. Olearius (1611–1684)
“Dark is the world, where your light shined never;
Well is he born, that may behold you ever.”
—Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599)