Vision to Reality: The Reut Blog

Writing in TheMarker, Nehemia Shtresler brings evidence suggesting low demand for rail services between Beer Sheva and Dimona suggesting that one possible explanation is due to the train station stops being located outside Dimona’s city center thus making it less appealing in comparison to the bus alternative.

 The discourse concentrating on transportation efficiency is a part of a wider perception that stresses the importance of infrastructure as the main factor in economic development.

While infrastructure is clearly important for economic development, it is probably not enough. In addition to physical accessibility to centers of economic activities, one should also take a broader view of the ‘accessibility factor’. This should include accessibility to networks of influence, education, language and skills. Reaching these is crucial, even when physical accessibility is not an obstacle.

In our context, alongside investing in connecting small towns to Beer Sheva, one should ensure accessibility to the services the regions provides, such as higher education services at Ben Gurion University. Focusing on accessibility in its wider context would yield a more effective regional development policy.