Hi,
Looking on this minibus, running in Tel Aviv streets on Shabat you may think it is just another service taxi (Sherut). One of the private taxi that run on demand during Shabat in Israel.
There are cities in Israel with bus service: like Haifa and other cities, mainly Arabic. But those minibus, small as they are a big deal. They are tearing apart the Status quo of public transportation in Israel.
You probably remember that if you wish to get somewhere at Shabbat we either used my parents car, took a taxi or just waited for Shabbat to end to take a bus to Natanya.
Now Things are changing. Our mayor of Ramat Gan offered free minibus service to the beach and to Tel Aviv city center during this summer vacation Shabbat days. It was a success, any many youth used it. Now he plans on rerun it again.
Now it is Tel Aviv that offers free public transportation on Shabbat . The demand was so high, that during Shabbat, the service was expanded 😄
I am happy – it means less cars on the road cheaper transportation and freedom to move around, even of you are not rich (to buy a car or take taxi).
But not all are happy about it. Our transport minister, Bezalel Smotrich, is religious. Therefore he is against anything can damage Israel as a Jewish country. But there is nothing he can do against free public transportation on Shabbat, because it is free it isn’t illegal.
I must say, that even with the above , and the fact he is from a right wing party I object to – I do appreciate his work as the transport minister. The former transport minister, did promote public transportation projects but prefer much more the private car projects. Smotrich understand the need for good public transportation: Either the fourth railway in Ayalon (it is part of Atzva work), the promotion of electrical railway system, or the carpool lanes to Tel Aviv. All are great, although most not understand it.
Take Care
Gad
The mayors of Tel Aviv, Kiryat Uno, Ramat HaSharon and Givatai’m that take part in the project (Source: Bar Lavi, Globs)
One of the minibuses of the project, below Dizingoff center
Map of the ree public transportation on Shabbat in Tel Aviv and surrounding municipalities (Source: BusNear)