Jerusalem Opens Central Light Rail Link
The L3 extension to Damascus Gate begins service Tuesday, adding five stops to the Jaffa Street corridor.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
A new segment of the L3 light rail line begins operating this week, linking HaTurim station to Damascus Gate through the heart of Jerusalem. The route opens to the public on Tuesday, November 10.
The expansion was announced jointly by the Finance Ministry, the Transportation Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality, Transportation for Jerusalem, and Cfir Light Rail. The new section adds five stations that overlap with the existing L1 line, which currently runs between Neve Yaakov and Hadassah Ein Kerem.
The primary function of the extension is to provide direct access to downtown destinations. The new stops connect commuters to the Mahane Yehuda Market, City Hall, the Mamilla shopping district, and the entrance to the Old City. Authorities aim to increase service frequency along the Jaffa Street corridor and reduce congestion on the current network.
Previously, passengers traveling to the city center often transferred to the L1 line. The L3 extension distributes passenger load across both routes, which should lower wait times and reduce overcrowding during peak hours.
While the L3 extension opens this week, the L4 line is in its final testing phases. The L4 connects the Gilo neighborhood in southern Jerusalem to the rest of the network. It is expected to open to the public in the near future, pending safety approvals.
The L4 route will include stops in downtown Jerusalem, the First Station, and Talpiot. It will feature underground stations in Mea Shearim. The L6 line will run from Ramot to join the L4 before splitting to serve Har Homa and following Hebron Road to Gilo.
Future plans outlined on the Cfir website include an extension of the L3 to Hadassah University Medical Center on Mount Scopus. The L8 line is under development, running from Armon Hanatziv in East Talpiot to Hadassah Ein Kerem. The L2 line will supplement the L1 by extending to HaTurim. The L5 line is planned to run from Hadassah Mount Scopus to Har Nof. Exact opening dates and final routes for these future lines have not been determined.
