The mainstay of overland transport The Israel Railway currently serves as one of the largest freight carriers in Israel. Freight handling operations are trending upwards. In 1999, the Israel Railway transported over 10,000,000 tons of freight. Most of the transportation activities focus on transportation of the following: phosphates, potassium, coal, nuclear substances, gravel, containers, phosphoric acid, sulfur and crude oil. The Israel Railway serves as an overland bridge between the ports of Haifa and Ashdod, thus enabling its customers to visit one of these ports. Freight handling operations by the Israel Railway significantly reduces the overload on the roads, and thus contributes to the achievement of other national objectives, such as: reducing the number of road accidents and improving the quality of life, safety and environmental quality. The train is the right answer, the most effective answer, the safest answer and the most attractive answer for freight transportation. Information on freight transportation by train is available at the Freight Department: Economist - Ms. Edna Meirovitch, Tel: 08-9778798, Fax: 08-9778650 email:ednam@rail.org.il