Israel Railways is the sole provider of passenger and freight rail service in the State of Israel. Trains operate seven days a week, although service is limited on Fridays, Saturdays, holiday eves, and after the conclusion of holidays. There are no trains during the Jewish Sabbath and holidays. Passenger trains serve many cities and towns throughout the country, including Naharia, Akko, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Lod, Beersheva, Dimona, Jerusalem, Ashdod, and Ashkelon. There is also a stop at Ben Gurion Airport's new Terminal 3, just a quick escalator ride from baggage claim and check-in counters. Additional lines are in the planning stages, including a high speed line from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem via Modi'in that would take significantly less time than the existing line that operates via Lod and Bet Shemesh. That line is scheduled to open in 2011.
Unlike on commuter rail systems in the United States and Europe, conductors do not inspect tickets on board the train. Instead, a passenger must purchase a ticket with a magnetic stripe prior to entering the system, and then must pass the ticket through a turnstile. The ticket only allows entry at the place where the ticket was purchased, and exit at the passenger's destination. One must pass the ticket through a turnstile to exit.
Most intercity and suburban service is provided by either Swedish built IC3 diesel multiple units, or by Bombardier bi-level cars that are operated in a push-pull mode with an Alstom JT42BW diesel locomotive providing the power, usually at the south end of the train. There are also some older rail cars in service, running on a few trains per day. All trains have a "European" seating arrangement, with groups of four seats around a small table, with two seats facing the other two seats.
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 Old Jerusalem Railway Station, June 25, 2009 |  Old Jerusalem Railway Station, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |
 Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way at the north end Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road") crossing Derech Beit Lehem (Bethlehem Road) in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |
 Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way along Derech HaRakevet (literally "Railroad Road"), looking south from Derech Beit Lehem (Bethlehem Road) in the German Colony, Jerusalem, June 25, 2009 |  Abandoned Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line right-of-way at the site of bumper block at the Old Jerusalem Railway Station, June 26, 2009 |
This line has been in operation since