Tel Aviv — Israel’s largest urban transport project is moving into a major new phase as plans for a driverless metro system advance across the metropolitan region. NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd. is scheduled to begin the pre-qualification process for the $10 billion Infra II tender on 25 August 2026, covering the design and construction of technology for driverless metro operations and advanced control systems. The planned network is expected to accommodate as many as 600 million passenger trips, creating a major new layer of public transport for residents, commuters and visitors. For tourists, the project could eventually transform how they move between Tel Aviv and surrounding metropolitan destinations, making rail travel a much more central part of the urban experience.
A $10 Billion Transport Project Takes Shape
The scale of the planned investment is substantial.
The Infra II tender is valued at approximately $10 billion and represents a major stage in the development of the Tel Aviv metropolitan metro system.
The pre-qualification process will focus on companies capable of delivering the advanced technology required for driverless trains and automated metro operations.
That includes control systems and other technological infrastructure needed to operate a modern automated railway.
For Israel, the project represents a major expansion of metropolitan transport capacity.
For passengers, the long-term objective is a faster and more connected way to travel across the Tel Aviv region.
Driverless Trains Change the Urban Travel Model
The defining feature of the planned metro is automation.
Driverless trains use sophisticated signalling, control and monitoring technologies to manage train movements without a driver operating the train manually.
Automated systems can control acceleration, braking, train spacing and other operational functions within defined safety parameters.
For passengers, the experience can look remarkably familiar.
You board the train, find a seat and travel to your destination.
The difference happens behind the scenes, where automated control systems manage the movement of the train.
Up to 600 Million Passenger Trips
The planned network is designed for enormous passenger demand.
Estimates indicate that the system could accommodate as many as 600 million passenger trips.
That scale reflects the importance of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area as Israel’s principal economic and employment centre.
Large numbers of people travel between Tel Aviv and surrounding cities every day for work, education, shopping and leisure.
A high-capacity metro system can provide an alternative to private cars and existing surface transport.
Tel Aviv Becomes More Connected
The metropolitan region extends well beyond central Tel Aviv.
The wider urban area includes cities such as Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, Holon, Bat Yam and Herzliya, creating a highly interconnected travel environment.
A metro system designed around this metropolitan geography could make movement between major population and employment centres easier.
For tourists, that could eventually make it more practical to stay in one part of the metropolitan region while visiting attractions elsewhere.
Tourism Could Benefit From Better Urban Mobility
Public transport is a crucial part of the visitor experience in any major city.
Tourists need reliable ways to travel between hotels, attractions, restaurants, cultural venues and transport hubs.
Tel Aviv already has a growing public transport network, but a high-capacity metro could provide another level of connectivity.
Visitors could potentially use the metro to reach areas that are less convenient to access by foot or existing surface transport.
That could also encourage tourists to explore beyond the central beachfront and main commercial districts.
Driverless Technology Supports Frequent Services
Automated metro systems can potentially operate trains at high frequencies because sophisticated control systems can manage spacing between vehicles.
Shorter intervals can reduce passenger waiting times and make public transport easier to use spontaneously.
For tourists, that is particularly useful.
Visitors do not necessarily want to build an itinerary around a complicated timetable.
A frequent metro service allows travellers to arrive at a station and board the next available train.
That convenience can make public transport more attractive than taxis or rental cars.
Advanced Control Systems Are the Real Backbone
The driverless train is only the visible part of the technology.
Behind it sits a complex network of signalling, communications and control systems.
These systems monitor train locations, manage movements and maintain safe distances between vehicles.
Central control infrastructure can also help operators respond to disruptions and manage services across the network.
The Infra II project therefore represents not simply a train procurement exercise but a major technology programme for metropolitan transport.
Automation Requires Sophisticated Safety
Driverless railway systems rely on multiple layers of automated safety.
Train control systems continuously monitor movements and operating conditions, while signalling infrastructure ensures that trains remain within safe operating parameters.
Emergency procedures and human oversight also remain important even when trains operate without onboard drivers.
The objective is to create a system in which technology handles routine operations while specialised personnel remain responsible for monitoring the wider network and responding to unusual situations.
The Metro Complements Existing Transport
The planned metro is not expected to replace every other form of public transport.
Instead, it would form part of a larger metropolitan network that includes existing railways, buses, light rail and other services.
Passengers could transfer between modes depending on where they are travelling.
For visitors, that integrated approach could make multi-destination sightseeing easier.
A tourist might use one service to reach the metropolitan area and then transfer onto the metro for local travel.
The Project Could Reshape Daily Life
The impact extends beyond tourism.
Residents could gain another high-capacity alternative for commuting, shopping and leisure travel.
Reducing dependence on private cars can also help address congestion and make urban movement more predictable.
For a densely populated metropolitan region, that can have major long-term consequences.
The metro therefore represents both a transport project and an urban development project.
A New Chapter for Tel Aviv Travel
The August 2026 tender milestone is only one stage of a much longer development process.
Design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning will all be required before passengers can use the completed system.
But beginning the pre-qualification process represents a significant step towards the planned automated metro.
For Tel Aviv, the ambition is clear: build a high-capacity, technology-driven railway capable of serving hundreds of millions of passenger trips.
Key Transport Highlights
- The Infra II tender is valued at approximately $10 billion.
- NTA is scheduled to begin the pre-qualification process on 25 August 2026.
- The project includes technology for driverless metro trains.
- Advanced control systems will form a central part of the network.
- The planned system could accommodate up to 600 million passenger trips.
- The network is designed to serve the wider Tel Aviv metropolitan region.
- Driverless technology could support frequent and reliable metro services.
- Tourists could eventually gain easier access to destinations across the metropolitan area.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does the Tel Aviv Metro tender process begin?
NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd. is scheduled to begin the Infra II pre-qualification process on 25 August 2026.
2. How much is the project worth?
The Infra II tender is valued at approximately $10 billion.
3. How many passenger trips could the metro accommodate?
The planned network is estimated to accommodate as many as 600 million passenger trips.
Key Dates
25 August 2026: NTA begins the pre-qualification process for the Infra II tender.
2026 onward: Design and procurement processes advance for driverless metro technology and advanced control systems.
Future: Construction, testing and commissioning will precede passenger operations on the completed metro network.
Conclusion
Tel Aviv is preparing for a major transformation in urban travel, with the planned driverless metro moving into a crucial procurement phase. The $10 billion Infra II tender will support the technology needed for automated trains and advanced control systems, while the planned network could ultimately accommodate up to 600 million passenger trips. For residents, the metro promises a new high-capacity transport option across the metropolitan region. For tourists, its eventual arrival could make exploring Tel Aviv and surrounding cities considerably easier. The project will take years to progress from tender to passenger service, but the direction is unmistakable: Tel Aviv is building a driverless rail network designed to make metropolitan travel faster, smarter and far more connected.
