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NEWS
Hundreds Use Kosher Transportation Initiative Connecting
Jerusalem Neighborhoods to Kosel
By Yechiel Sever
Hundreds of chareidim have used a kosher transportation
system operated privately along the Number 2 bus route in
Jerusalem. The buses depart every half hour, on the half
hour, from Har Nof and from the City of David parking lot
near the Kosel Maarovi. Many passengers use the kosher
transportation to reach the Kosel in sanctity, and some use
the special arrangement to travel from Har Nof to
neighborhoods in North Jerusalem and for other routes within
the city.
The special transportation arrangement started operating last
Thursday at 4:00 p.m. and on Motzei Shabbos starting at 9:00
p.m., despite repeated attempts by officials from the
Transportation Ministry's Department of Public Transportation
to waylay the program, in addition to efforts by Egged
Jerusalem to undermine it.
Organizers derived gratification and encouragement from the
many passengers who waited at the various stops, grateful for
the opportunity to maintain kedushoh and
tznius. They say the service will continue operating,
be'ezras Hashem, along the Number 2 route every half
hour on the half hour, from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. Additional
improvements are also slated to be introduced in accordance
with future developments and passenger requests.
Many Jerusalem residents say the successful operation of the
new line, which is free of charge, proves that good service
can be provided even in Jerusalem and there is no reason for
Egged to retain a monopoly on public transportation in the
city, especially since its franchise was scheduled to end in
January 2009. They say the time has come to introduce
competition in Jerusalem's public transportation system, and
to accelerate the privatization process in the city.
Due to the monopoly that Egged enjoys in Jerusalem, the line
may not collect a fare for travel.
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