Egged has been operating several Mehadrin bus lines in
chareidi neighborhoods in Jerusalem for the past six months
following requests by rabbonim and askonim.
Men board these buses via the front door while ladies use the
rear door where a special (unmanned) ticket puncher is
installed. Seating is separate and the radio stays turned
off.
The chareidi public is pleased with the new lines and has
been making efforts to avoid other buses where Mehadrin lines
are available, even if it means waiting a few more minutes
for the next bus to arrive. So far three such lines are in
operation: Line 40, Geula-Ramot, Line 54, Geula-Neveh Yaakov
and Line 54, Geula-Ramat Shlomo. The public has voiced a
demand for Mehadrin buses on Line 10 as well.
Passengers note the atmosphere of kedushoh and
tznius on these buses. Secular passengers and foreign
workers who occasionally board Mehadrin lines abide by the
seating arrangement, which is a fabulous kiddush sheim
Shomayim.
Recently Egged added Line 3, a central route connecting the
city's chareidi neighborhoods and regularly used by many
passengers.
The addition of other lines and increasing the number of
buses running on existing Mehadrin lines depends on public
demand. Bus passes and tickets are available at Rosental
Writing Supplies at Kikar Shabbat, Yisroel Levy Writing
Supplies at the Meah Shearim Market, Sifrei Beis Yisroel near
Yeshivas Mir and the office of HaSeminar HaYashan.
