Egged (company)

Egged (company)
Name	Egged
Type	Transportation cooperative
Foundation	0 1933
Location	Tel Aviv, Israel
Industry	Public transport
Products	Bus transport

Egged (company). Egged is the largest bus transportation cooperative in Israel and one of the largest of its kind globally. Founded in the pre-state Mandatory Palestine era, it has played a central role in the development of the nation's infrastructure and public transit network. The company operates thousands of buses on hundreds of routes, serving millions of passengers annually across the country, from Metropolitan Tel Aviv to remote communities in the Negev and Galilee.

History

The cooperative was formed in 1933 through the merger of four smaller Zionist transport companies: HaMekasher, HaMa'avir, Geha, and Tzalach. Its establishment was supported by the Histadrut labor federation and the Jewish Agency, aiming to create a unified national transport system for the Yishuv. During the Arab revolt and later the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Egged's fleet was mobilized for military logistics and troop movements. Following the establishment of the State of Israel, it became the dominant intercity bus carrier, expanding rapidly during periods of mass Aliyah like the wave of immigration from the Soviet Union in the 1990s. The company's monopoly was gradually reduced following the recommendations of the Netanyahu Committee and the implementation of the Public Transport Reform in the 2000s, which introduced competition from operators like Dan and Kavim.

Operations

Egged's network encompasses extensive intercity routes, local urban services, and specialized lines. It holds a significant share of the public transport market in major metropolitan areas including Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheba, while also providing vital connectivity to West Bank settlements and occupied territories. The company operates the popular Ta'avura tourist and charter service, as well as the Jerusalem Light Rail through its subsidiary, CityPass. Key hubs include the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem, the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, and the HaMifratz Central Bus Station in Haifa. Coordination with the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety and the use of the national Rav-Kav smart card system are integral to its daily operations.

Fleet

Egged maintains a diverse fleet of over 3,000 buses, featuring vehicles from manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Volvo, and BYD Auto. The fleet includes standard diesel buses, articulated buses for high-capacity urban corridors, and a growing number of electric buses, particularly in cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa. Many vehicles are equipped with accessibility features compliant with Israeli standards, including kneeling bus systems and spaces for wheelchairs. The company's distinctive white, green, and orange livery is a common sight across the country's roadways.

Corporate structure

Egged is organized as a cooperative owned by its member-drivers, a structure formalized under the Cooperatives Ordinance of the British Mandate for Palestine. Its governance includes a board of directors elected from the membership and an executive management team. The company has several subsidiaries, including Egged Ta'avura for tourism, Egged Connex (formerly Connex Israel) which operates in the Sharon plain, and a stake in the CityPass consortium that runs the Jerusalem Light Rail. It is regulated by the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety and the Antitrust Authority.

Notable incidents

Throughout its history, Egged vehicles have been involved in or targeted during several major events. During the Second Intifada, numerous buses were attacked in suicide bombings, such as the Jerusalem bus 2 massacre in 2003 and the Jerusalem bus 14A massacre in 2004. The company has also experienced serious traffic accidents, including a 1985 collision near Kiryat Malakhi that resulted in significant loss of life. In 2016, an Egged bus was involved in a fatal collision with a IDF vehicle on Highway 90 near the Dead Sea.

See also

* Dan Bus Company * Kavim * Jerusalem Light Rail * Public transport in Israel * Rav-Kav

Category:Bus transport Category:Companies based in Tel Aviv Category:Transport cooperatives