The Israeli city of Be'er Sheva occupies a central role in southern Israel. Because of its central position in the Negev it is situated on important national routes reaching down to the far southern port of Eilat. Be'er Sheva is also home to a population of 180,000, with an estimated metro population at over 500,000 making it one of the largest cities in Israel. Much of the cities high-tech industry is concentrated in the center of the city, with Industrial estates existing in the south of the city, both of these areas are thus extensively served.
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Be'er sheva is also home to a small airfield, Be'er Sheva (Teyman) Airport. However the airfield has no commercial operations, though it can be used for private flights; it is operated by Ayit Aviation.
Buses are the principal form of public transport within the city. The main operator is Metrodan Beersheba, which operates 90 services, mainly originating in the Beersheba Central Bus Station.
The inter city bus service connects northwards to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, westwards to Sederot and Ashkelon, eastwards to Arad and Dimona and southwards to Mitzpe Ramon and Eilat. Most of the inter-city bus services are operated by "Metropoline" bus company, while the rest are operated by Egged. All intercity bus-service runs through the Beersheba Central Bus Station.
Be'er Sheva is served by two railway stations, Be'er Sheva North Railway Station, opened in 1956, renovated 2005. And Be'er Sheva Center Railway Station, opened in 2000. Both are operated by National Rail carrier, Israel Railways, and are part of the Railway to Beersheba, which extends northwards to Tel Aviv, and Ben Gurion Airport, and south to Dimona, and the Dead Sea factories (for freight only). The Be'er Sheva North University station is the terminus of the line to Dimona. All stations of Israel Railways can be accessed from Beersheba using transfer stations in Tel Aviv and Lod. Currently, the railway line to Beersheba uses a slow single-track configuration with several sharp curves limiting speed. However, its alignment is being improved and the entire line converted to dual-track. The project will be completed in 2011 and significantly decrease travel time from Tel Aviv and Haifa to Beersheba, at a cost of NIS 1.885 billion.
Beersheba is a central hub of the southern Israel road network. Connected to Tel Aviv via Highway 40, the second longest highway in Israel, which passes to the east of the city and is called the Beersheba bypass because it allows travelers from the north to go to southern locations, avoiding the more congested city center. From west to east, the city is divided by Highway 25, which connects to Ashkelon, Sderot, and Ofakim and the Gaza Strip to the northwest, and Dimona to the east. Finally, Highway 60 connects Beersheba with Jerusalem and the Shoket Junction, and goes through the West Bank. On the local level, a partial ring road surrounds the city from the north and east, and Road 406 (Reger Blvd.) goes through the city center from north to south, tracing the old route of the route 40 before the opening of the B'er Sheva bypass. Highway 40 rejoins it to the south of the city.
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