Blue Line (Jerusalem Light Rail)

Blue Line (Jerusalem Light Rail)
Overview
Status	Under Construction
Locale	Jerusalem
Termini	Ramot Alon Gilo
Stations	53
Service
Type	Tram
Depot(s)	Malha depot
Daily ridership	250,000 (estimated)
History
Planned opening	2030
Technical
Line length	31 km (19 mi)
Number of tracks	2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC OHLE

The Blue Line is the third line of the Jerusalem Light Rail. While initial preparatory infrastructure work began in 2020, major construction on the central sections began in 2025.

The line, which will operate from Gilo through a tunnel running 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) through King George Street in the center of Jerusalem and on to Ramot, is expected to be completed in stages, with initial service in 2028 and full operations projected for 2030 that would include branches labeled Azure and Purple. ^[1]

History

Originally approved in 2017, the planned 22 kilometres (14 mi) Blue Line was expected to be completed by 2023. ^[2] Construction began in September 2025, with a plan to complete some time after 2029 a system covering 24 kilometres (15 mi) and 40 stations that would serve 250,000 passengers each day. ^[3]

References

1. Gottlieb, Bryan. "Jerusalem Light Rail Work Advances Ahead of Major Tunnel Build", Engineering News-Record , December 8, 2025. Accessed February 15, 2026. "Jerusalem has advanced construction activity on its 31-km Blue Line light rail corridor, issuing early December municipal notices confirming continued utility and surface-infrastructure work along King George Street—the alignment’s most constrained segment and the planned site of a 2-km tunnel extension beneath the central commercial core.... Municipal planning documents reviewed by ENR describe the line as “[connecting] the Ramot neighborhood in the north with Gilo in the south, passing through the city center.” The partnership covers about 31 km across the Blue axis and its Azure and Purple connector lines, with the main Gilo-to-Ramot trunk measuring roughly 20 km.... Officials continue to reference a phased rollout, with the segment between the stop at Gilo and the city center expected to begin service later this decade with full Blue Line operations planned by 2030, consistent with partnership documentation outlining staged activation beginning in 2028."
2. "'Blue' line for Jerusalem light rail system approved.", Arutz Sheva , December 3, 2017. Accessed February 15, 2026. "The line, slated to open in 2023, will be 22km in length and will traverse numerous Jerusalem neighborhoods as it extends from Ramot in the north to Gilo in the south."
3. "Jerusalem begins work on light rail’s Blue Line, shutting major streets for at least four years", Ynetnews , September 15, 2025. Accessed February 15, 2026. "Construction of Jerusalem’s Blue Line light rail project began Sunday, marking a major milestone in the city’s expanding public transportation network. The 24-kilometer line will include 40 new stations and is expected to serve roughly 250,000 passengers daily.... The project is not expected to be completed before 2029, and will cause long-term disruptions to public transportation routes and road access in the city center."