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The Jerusalem Light Rail Transit (JLRT)

Veolia Environnement subsidiary Veolia Transport, as part of the City Pass consortium, will operate the Jerusalem Light Rail system when passenger service begins in 2011. This section of our website explains why we believe this project will benefit mobility in the area and outlines our commitments to contribute in helping the various communities achieve economic and social development.

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JLRT PROJECT'S CONTEXT
JERUSALEM: AN EXPANDING CITY IN NEED OF PUBLIC SERVICES
TECHNICAL DETAILS
VEOLIA TRANSPORT'S COMMITMENTS
THE POINT OF VIEW OF JERUSALEM'S ARAB RESIDENTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

JLRT PROJECT'S CONTEXT

The Jerusalem Light Rail Transit (JLRT) project was created following the Oslo Peace Accords in 1994 and in light of the positive outlook at this time. A variety of stakeholders were looking to improve the mobility and economic development in the region for both the Arab and Israeli populations. The international tender process launched by the State of Israel through the Jerusalem Public Transportation Administration (JPTA) was open for public consultation and was fully transparent.

Veolia Transport, a division of Veolia Environnement, the world leader in environmental solutions, entered this tender process in the year 2000 with other Israeli and key international participants, and was subsequently chosen as operator as part of the City Pass consortium through a fair and clear process.

Veolia Transport's main role will be to act as operator when the Light Rail service starts, scheduled for 2011. An operator is responsible for the day-to-day operational functions of the system (customer service, service planning, ticketing and fare collection, track control, etc.)

Veolia Transport has a 5% stake in the City Pass Consortium that was created in 2000 to build the infrastructure of the system. This stake represents Veolia Transport's link to its 27 years operation and maintenance contract. Veolia Transport has no role in the construction phase of the project.

The JLRT will run from the western parts of Jerusalem, passing through the city centre and close to the Old City, before heading north to the surrounding Arab villages and Israeli settlements.

The goal of the JLRT is to benefit all residents by facilitating travel to the areas mentioned above. Public land is to be used and, according to legal opinion, there has been no abusive expropriation in East Jerusalem.
There will be full access for all: security measures, ticketing system, tariffs and time-schedule will be the same for all.

JERUSALEM: AN EXPANDING CITY IN NEED OF PUBLIC SERVICES

Jerusalem's area is 126 square kilometers.
By 2020, the population is estimated to reach 893,500 residents (versus 766,000 today).

There is a strong dependency on motorized transportation in Jerusalem (cars, buses and taxis) that creates daily traffic congestion.
If alternative means of transportation, such as the JLRT system, are not offered, then daily traffic congestion is expected to grow substantially in future years.
According to recent studies on Jerusalem from the Israeli Ministry of Transportation, about 100,000 Arab residents in the area travel by bus every day.

Knowing that the freedom to travel, as an essential infrastructure, is a key human-rights issue in the Jerusalem area and the occupied territories, and that East Jerusalem is in dire need of economic activities to support the population, Veolia Transport is pleased to address these issues and to participate in delivering the following improvements:

The JLRT will enable easier and faster access to the city for residents of Northern Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.
The construction of the JLRT system will benefit the Arab communities by rebuilding and improving their living environment.
The JLRT system and the service depot will create new employment opportunities for all residents of the area. Approximately 300 operation and maintenance workers will be hired.
The JLRT is intended to benefit all residents of the area and will not restrict its services according to religious background.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Key Facts:

13.8 km long Light Rail system, with 23 stations,
Cumulative 1.4 million train-kilometers per year
Servicing 31 million passengers during its first 12 months of operation from 2011 to 2012, growing to 46 million passengers annually by 2036
Expects to move around 130,000 passengers per day
Employment of approximately 300 operation and maintenance workers
Turnover for operation and maintenance: 80 millions Shekels per year, during 27 years
2 "Park and Ride" facilities among the line

Route:

The JLRT will run from the western parts of Jerusalem, passing through the centre of Jerusalem and close to the Old City, before heading north to the surrounding Arab villages and Israeli settlements. It will help relieve traffic congestion in these areas

The JLRT will accommodate all residents of the surrounding area and help them reach Jerusalem in the fastest manner.

The 23 stations will be fairly distributed among the line, all spaced out from 500 to 700 meters, according to the logic of the densities of population.

As with all rail projects of this type around the World, the operator (Veolia Transport in this case) is not consulted in the choice of the route for the Light Rail line. The route was optimized by a state-of-the-art macro simulation demand model (EMME2), developed by both the US expert consulting company Parsons Brinckerhoff, and JPTA (Jerusalem Public Transportation Administration), along with local experts in transportation and urban planning.
The route was imposed in the official tender documents (Request for Proposal).

VEOLIA TRANSPORT'S COMMITMENTS

Through its worldwide operations, Veolia Environnement is committed to improving access to vital infrastructure and aiding communities with regards to their economic and social development. The company has signed up to the UN Global Compact and has undertaken projects with several other UN organizations (UNICEF, UNITAR, UN-Habitat, UNEP, WFP, UNESCO, and FAO).

Veolia Environnement is committed to high ethical and social standards and a Sustainable Development approach lies at the core of Veolia Environnement's organization and strategy.

This project is designed to significantly improve the freedom and ease of movement of all populations in the area, particularly the Arab population which is in direct need of means of transportation.

Our continuous presence in the operation of this transit system is dependent upon the respect of non-discriminating policy by all parties.

Veolia Transport is committed to:

Operating the JLRT on a clear non-discrimination policy. Light Rail operations will not implement any restrictions on access, based on religion or membership of a specific community. If the company were to be confronted by a situation that made it impossible to apply and enforce this policy, Veolia Transport would reconsider its involvement.
Checking the ongoing support of the local community to the Project on a regular basis, and particularly that of the Arab population, through independent and professional surveys.
Enhancing its corporate social responsibility. Veolia Transport will accept an open and transparent discussion with its stakeholders regarding its involvement in the JLRT project. The company believes that the JLRT will support economic and political stability and development in the region.
Abiding by the law. If the project, or Veolia Transport's contract, were declared illegal by a recognized international or French court, the company would comply with any definitive decision.

THE POINT OF VIEW OF JERUSALEM'S ARAB RESIDENTS

Veolia Transport commissioned an opinion poll in May 2009 to measure and examine the attitudes and point of view of Jerusalem's residents towards the JLRT.

This opinion poll was carried out by TNS Teleseker, the leading market research and information organization in Israel, the Israeli subsidiary of the International Group TNS Global, the world's largest Custom Market Research specialists.

A representative sample of residents of different neighborhoods, men and women over the age of 18, was taken by a telephone survey. The sample of the Arab neighborhoods of Shu'afat, Beit Hanina and Sheikh Jarrah (named "Arabs" in the following results) was 639.

The opinions of the Israeli residents of Pisgat Ze'ev and Neve Ya'akov (named "Settlers" in the following results) are represented by a sample of 600 people.

The results clearly show that criticism voiced by activists worldwide against Veolia Environnement on the subject of the Jerusalem Light Rail Transit project does not reflect the opinions of the local populations, who are widely in favor of the construction of the new Light Rail system. Those surveyed have expressed an interest in using the light rail system on a regular basis, believing that it will shorten their travel time and simplify their daily lives.

Residents from Arab neighborhoods are generally more supportive than others about the light rail expect the quality of their lives to be improved and that it will bring economic development for residents and their neighborhoods.

62% of Arabs and 61% of Settlers support the light rail's existence.
69% of Arabs and 70% of Settlers say they will ride the light rail.
62% of Arabs and 55% of Settlers would recommend using the light rail to family members.
75% of Arabs and 72% of Settlers expect the light rail will shorten travel time to Jerusalem's city center and avoid the inconvenience of traffic jams.
66% of Arabs and 50% of Settlers expect the light rail stop in Shu'afat will lead to economic development in this neighborhoods, and will attract Arab populations over there.
60% of Arabs and 49% of Settlers believe that Shu'afat and Beit Hanina residents will enjoy economic development and improve the quality of life because of the light rail's activity.
62% of Arabs and 39% of Settlers believe the light rail will bring the Arab populations closer together and will ease movement between them.
82% of both communities have no problem with men and women sitting together on the light rail.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why did Veolia Environnement decide to get involved in such a controversial project?

Veolia Environnement operates in more than 70 countries throughout the world and is a significant player in environmental services in emerging and developing countries.

Veolia Transport's business is to meet people's transportation needs. It entered the project at a time of positive thinking regarding the peace settlement in the wake of the Oslo Accords, through a public and transparent process. The project will significantly enhance communication between the center of Jerusalem and the Arab areas north of Jerusalem. The light rail system will benefit all residents in the area.
Veolia Transport was one of several European and American companies which answered an international tender launched in 2000 for the procurement of the LRT construction and operation in Israel and Palestine.

Veolia Transport is not involved in the construction of the Light Rail system, indeed Veolia Transport's interest in the project lies in operating the light rail after the construction work is completed, which is estimated to be 2011.

Is the JLRT project contrary to international law?

Veolia Environnement is aware of the international laws that apply to such issues and particularly of UN Resolutions dealing with the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the status of the occupied territories East of Jerusalem. We respect these resolutions and independent international lawyers have been consulted on the specific issue of the JLRT project. We believe that this project and our involvement in it are not contrary to international law. If a French or recognized international jurisdiction were to definitely find our position illegal, we would reconsider our opinion, as well as our involvement in the JLRT project. Our goal is to meet people's needs regarding urban movements - not to get involved in religious or political controversies.

What do Arab populations think about the Jerusalem LRT project?

The light rail system is an important instrument designed to improve mobility access for Palestinian populations and thus improve their economic development. Such populations show most dependency on public services, particularly in terms of mobility.

Veolia Transport commissioned a professional poll in 2007 to check the opinion of Palestinian populations along the route. A large majority was favorable to the proposed stations in the Palestinian communities of Shuafat and Beit Hanina and expressed an interest in using the new means of transportation.
The JRLT is also seen by these populations as something that will benefit the economic development of the areas in which they live.

Is Veolia Environnement supporting Israel's settlement policy?

No, this project offers a new, effective means of transport serving everyone. It is intended to act as an instrument for the development of the local economy, which will particularly benefit the Arab populations.

The train depot, which will create 300 jobs, is located in an Arab neighborhood.
By enabling improved economic and social conditions for the Arab areas and populations, the light rail will perpetuate their presence in the territories and foster their development.
Of course this is conditioned to the fact that an indiscriminate access to the JLRT is guaranteed. We have no information to lead us to believe there will be discrimination in the operation of the Light Rail, and that is why we intend to operate the system. We will not operate the JLRT if in the future we are confronted with discriminatory practices restricting the access of certain categories of the population.

Does the Palestinian population have unrestricted access to the tramway? Are there any stops outside of the "occupied territories"?

The legal clauses under which we have accepted to operate the light rail do not set any kind of restriction of access for any population or passengers.
The route of the light rail was conceived to ensure unrestricted access to everybody both in and outside the "occupied territories" - half of the tram stops are outside the "occupied territories" and half are inside.

The operational modalities do not set any restriction regarding access to the light rail. In addition, Veolia Transport will endeavor to maintain unrestricted access to the tram stops and to the trains. If changes occurred regarding this issue, Veolia Transport would have to reconsider the conditions of its involvement in the operation of the light rail, in accordance with its initial contractual obligations and its commitments towards corporate social responsibility.

Should Veolia withdraw from this project?

The easy option would be to confine our activities to places where things are stable and simple. However, we have chosen to participate in the project as we are confident in our capacity to provide sustainable solutions even in difficult situations. We entered this project through a competitive tender at a time when peace was a concrete hope. Of course things have been deteriorating since then and the challenge is even bigger than originally estimated.

We know that the JLRT will exist whether we are here or not.
We believe that the guarantees we can provide to the international community regarding the impact of the JLRT's operation on human rights are greater than any other alternative solution. This is the reason why we do not intend to withdraw. However, if the illegality of our presence were definitely established by a French or recognized international court, we would withdraw. If it is brought to our attention, once we start to operate the light rail, that there are discriminatory practices either in the recruitment of employees or in the freedom of access, we would withdraw.

Should you have any questions that are not answered, please contact us at developpement.durable@veolia.com.