The Jerusalem Light Rail’s suspension of operations for five days went into effect on Sunday morning. The suspension is required to allow trial runs of its Red Line’s new extended route and its integration into the train’s operations. According to professionals, alternatives to the suspension of operations, such as a partial suspension or nighttime trial runs, were ruled out due to the need to carry out comprehensive testing along the entire route. The Red Line, which currently runs between Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Herzl, has been extended from Neve Yaakov to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Test runs will be carried out along the line’s entire route. New special bus routes were added this week as alternatives to the light rail line and the frequency of existing bus routes has been increased. The existing Red Line route between Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Herzl will resume operations on February 14. The newly expanded full line between Neve Yaakov and Hadassah is expected to begin operating on February 21. The expanded line will include 12 new stations, four in Neve Yaakov, and eight in the Kiryat Yovel area, Kiryat Menachem, the Ora Junction, and along the route to Hadassah Ein Kerem. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)