Tel Aviv Advances Plans to Increase Transit on Shabbos – Israel News



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An ultra-orthodox Jewish man looks out of the window of a condensed bus in Jerusalem

An ultra-orthodox Jewish man looks from the window of a bus covered with condensation, on December 11, 2013.
(photo credit: REUTERS / AMMAR AWAD)

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Five days before the fierce municipal elections in Tel Aviv, the municipality announced its intention to significantly expand public transport in the city on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.

Like most Jewish-dominated cities in Israel, buses and trains do not circulate in Tel Aviv on Shabbat days and holidays. According to a survey published by the Israel Institute for Democracy and published in February, about 64 percent of Jewish Israelis believe that public transportation should be provided seven days a week.

As part of plans released Thursday in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation, the municipality will license 24 new shared taxi lines to operate in the city on Shabbat. Although bus companies are not allowed to operate services in Tel Aviv on Shabbat, shared taxi routes are not affected by similar bans.

On the basis of plans originally developed by the municipality in 2012, eight shared taxi lines are expected to open in the coming year – four entirely new lines as well as four lines based on those already in service in Tel Aviv. In a second step, 16 additional routes will be exploited in the city.

"This is a real revolution." Bravo to the Minister of Transport who, after years, has approved the program to significantly expand the service, based on the plans of the municipality of 2012, "said Mayor de Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai.

"This is a major change and a major contribution to the movement of public transportation every day of the week, including Shabbat and holidays."

The operator of the new routes, which will be the subject of an ongoing call for tenders, will ultimately determine the nature and frequency of the service. The municipality believes, however, that the current level of demand will make the operation of the Shabbat service financially attractive.

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According to the municipality, the planned routes will allow most residents of Tel Aviv to access the city's entertainment centers, hospitals and beaches throughout the week, while enhancing the capacity of existing public transport of the city.

Earlier this month, Transport Minister Israel Katz and Huldai clashed over the blocked construction of a pedestrian bridge and cyclists on the city's Ayalon Highway. The plans were frozen due to ultra-orthodox objections to Shabbat construction work.

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