The Ministry of Transportation Faces Criticism Over Public Transportation Operations During War
The Ministry of Transportation has come under fire for the handling of public transportation operations during the ongoing conflict. After facing severe criticism for the slow operation of the public transportation system at the beginning of the war, the ministry began to operate public transportation from the second Saturday of the conflict. However, the operation has been met with controversy and criticism.
The operation included bus lines and the operation of Israel Railways between Haifa and Be’er Sheva and between Tel Aviv and Israel. At first, some of the regular bus lines were operated by various public transportation companies, and in the following weeks, the operation was transferred to Egged Haseim. However, the frequency of the services was reduced, causing inconvenience to passengers.
Despite efforts by the Ministry of Transportation to not inform the public about the mode of operation, more than 1,700 people traveled on the service, demonstrating a clear demand for public transportation during the weekends. This led to criticism from the public and advocacy groups.
Criticism has also been directed at Miri Regev, the Minister of Transportation, who chose to change the format of the launch again and hide it from the public. Her instruction to the personnel of the Public Transportation Authority in the Ministry of Transportation not to send information updates to the transportation industry has drawn significant backlash.
The Public Transportation Authority, which affects millions of Israelis every day, is in a growing crisis since Regev returned to the ministry. Her decisions have led to the departure of respected professionals at the Authority, and her choice to appoint an individual with no experience in the field of public transportation has raised concerns.
In response to the controversy, the passenger association “Transportation Our Way” called on the Minister of Transportation to prioritize public service and activate emergency transportation services needed in times of war. The association emphasized that the ministry’s actions have harmed many members of the public in Israel.
As the conflict continues, the Ministry of Transportation will be closely watched to see if it can address the criticisms and provide a suitable public transportation service during this challenging time.