The outline of compensation for businesses near the light rail lines remains low

The outline of compensation for businesses near the light rail lines remains low in relation to the intensity of the work and the length of time, despite the fact that access to them is blocked in the fences following the project, which is committed to establishing a light rail network in Gush Dan.
According to a joint announcement by the Ministries of Finance and Transportation and the Tel Aviv Municipality, the Business Assistance Fund located along the underground excavation works of the Green Line will be expanded, following the Business Assistance Fund adjacent to the Red Line excavation works from 2018. About NIS 15 million, and it will be financed equally by the Ministry of Finance and the Tel Aviv Municipality

The green line, it will be recalled, will be excavated between Mount Zion Boulevard in south Tel Aviv and Ibn Gvirol at the corner of Nordau, in the northern part of the city. The excavations will begin in the coming year and the works are expected to be completed in 2027.
"Assistance to businesses along the underground stations of the light rail green line is through participation in the expenses essential for the continued operation of the business during the light rail works period, and it covers expenses such as: renovations, advertising and marketing, errands, hiring accessibility consultants, firefighters and more, according to established criteria. The assistance will be provided in accordance with the procedure up to a value of NIS 250,000 per business. Each business that meets the criteria is entitled to submit up to 4 applications for cumulative assistance (for the entire duration of the work period). Of NIS 2.5 million, "it was reported. Meaning: In the example of the six years of work, businesses that are affected will be able to receive a maximum payment of about NIS 3,500 per month on average - if they meet all the criteria.
Although the light rail is expected to improve the income of businesses along the way, as the light rail has proven in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the world, during the intensive work of excavating the lower part many businesses are likely to be harmed and therefore the state participates in harming them.
In principle, the light rail should pass above the ground and thus the infrastructure works are less intensive, cheaper and much faster. In Israel, they created a kind of hybrid between a light rail and a metro, when they decided to move its part along an underground route. The green line will be sunk on Mount Zion Boulevard in south Tel Aviv and the tunnel will end in the northern part of Ibn Gvirol Street, following the insistence of Ron Huldai, the mayor of Tel Aviv, years ago.
In retrospect, it was a transportation mistake because the preference above ground will remain for a private car even if there are preference lanes for public transportation, and the works that take longer will further disrupt the routine of business, residents and visitors at city gates. Upon completion of the construction of the line, access to businesses on the overhead route will be more convenient and accessible for light rail passengers and pedestrians.
The Minister of Finance, Avigdor Lieberman: "Infrastructure development is a central and important part of the strengthening of the State of Israel as an advanced and developed Western state.
Minister of Transportation, Merav Michaeli: "Mass transit systems are our future, but we must and must also address the present. Our job is to ensure that the harm to the public in general and its livelihood as a result of infrastructure works is minimal, and that assistance and support is maximized. The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, and is determined to continue to care for the citizens of Israel through similar collaborations wherever necessary. "
Tel Aviv-Yafo Mayor Ron Huldai: "Business is the beating heart of the city and we do everything we can to make it easier for you, after the difficult corona year. Therefore, although the light rail project is a national project led by the state, we work hard to help them succeed. "The difficult period at the end, we are convinced, will have an upgraded urban street and increased customer traffic. We are happy that we were able to harness the state to expand the aid fund we jointly established for businesses along the Red Line route, also for businesses near Green Line."