Kavim

Kavim (Hebrew: קווים, lit. '"lines"') is an Israeli bus company based in Holon. It started in 2000 and ran bus lines in the eastern Gush Dan region. It served towns and cities like Kiryat Ono, Petah Tikva, Or Yehuda, and Givatayim.

In February 2005, Kavim began running buses in Afula, Bet She'an, and the Nazareth area.

Over time, Kavim took over many routes from the Dan Bus Company. In 2011, it merged with another bus company called Illit. By 2012, Kavim got new contracts to serve places like Ramla, Lod, Modi'in, and parts of the Netanya Hadera region. These new routes started in 2013. In 2015, some routes in Afula went to the Superbus company, but Kavim kept growing. In 2017, it won more contracts for areas such as the Valley of Elah and Beitar Illit.

Today, Kavim has 300 buses and employs 450 people. Zion Pat is the current chief executive officer. The company is an important part of public transportation in Israel.

Ridership by sector

In 2017, the number of people who rode the buses each year in different areas was counted.

Controversies and criticism

Kavim's bus services have sometimes faced criticism, especially in Petah Tikva. In April 2008, a city council member wanted to form a group to check Kavim's work. Kavim said this was unfair and based on politics.

In 2008, a Kavim bus driver was arrested for doing something wrong. Kavim said this did not show what the company or most of its drivers were like.

On October 6, 2010, 30 Kavim buses in Afula were stopped by police because they had safety problems, like broken seats and old tires.

Involvement in Israeli settlements

See also: List of companies operating in West Bank settlements

On 12 February 2020, the United Nations made a database of companies working in places like the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. Kavim was included because of its work in Israeli settlements in these areas.