Kavim

Kavim (Hebrew: קווים, lit. '"lines"') is an Israeli bus company based in Holon. It was founded in 2000 and provided bus lines in the eastern Gush Dan region, serving towns and cities like Kiryat Ono, Petah Tikva, Or Yehuda, and Givatayim. In February 2005, Kavim expanded northward, beginning operations in Afula, Bet She'an, and the Nazareth area.

Over the years, Kavim grew by taking over many routes from the Dan Bus Company. In 2011, it merged with the bus company Illit. By 2012, Kavim won contracts to serve areas including Ramla, Lod, Modi'in, and parts of the Netanya Hadera region. These new routes began operating in 2013. In 2015, some routes in Afula were transferred to the Superbus company, but Kavim continued to expand, winning more contracts in 2017 for areas such as the Valley of Elah and Beitar Illit.

Today, Kavim operates a fleet of 300 buses and employs 450 people. The current chief executive officer of Kavim is Zion Pat. The company remains 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 recorded.

Controversies and criticism

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

In 2008, a Kavim bus driver was arrested for doing something wrong on his routes. 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 many 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, which many think is not allowed by international rules.