The inspector impersonating a train distances an ultra-Orthodox couple (photo by Avi Muskel, Tzur Tikurut)
The Economy Committee today (Monday) discussed the cessation of train activity to the periphery on nights and weekends, following an urgent proposal for an order by MK Yael Ron Ben Moshe.
Today the distress reached the table of the Economics Committee.
Chairman of the Committee, Michael Bitton mBlue and White called on the Ministry of Transportation to formulate an alternative plan for the disabled train lines – and to notify the committee within a month. Until the implementation of this alternative plan, a sufficient alternative public transportation plan must be implemented and announced in a prominent and accessible manner to the public. MK Bitton added: “The government must present a dramatic change in the issue, and we will hold a follow-up discussion in about two months, and we will require the presence of the director general of the Ministry of Transportation and the director general of Israel Railways.”
The debate was initiated by MK Y.About Ron Ben Moshe (Blue and white) Following many public inquiries she received on the subject as part of her role as chair of the Public Inquiries Committee, during the committee discussion she shared about flooding inquiries due to the fact that there are no trains to the periphery at night, Fridays and Saturdays. “The Minister of Transport has promised that some of the trains will return, but by 2025 the trains are not supposed to return at these times. The level of buses to the periphery, which are offered as an alternative, is dirty and old.” She even addressed a question to a representative of the Ministry of Transportation who was present at the hearing: “The Minister promotes public transportation on Saturday, does she also promote and implement infrastructure work on Saturday?”.
Elias Matar, director of the Ministry of Transport’s Operations Division, acknowledged that the electrification project would not be the last to disrupt the ongoing movement of trains and shared that railway infrastructure across the country and in many aspects needs to be improved. According to him, in about a month a number of lines are expected to open on Fridays as well, and in about four months the line will also return to Jerusalem on Fridays. It is important for the ministry and also important for the public that the various projects progress and end, and not be postponed for a long time. Matar added that all the alternatives to public transportation are on the ministry’s website, and in addition the buses are reinforced with lines and times when the train does not operate.
Shirley Pinto (right) presented the plight of people with disabilities in the absence of the train and in the fact that non-train intercity public transport is inaccessible. Ravid Edri of the Link 20 movement noted that public transportation is what allows equal opportunities for all and in the current situation – the freedom to move, move and live is robbed of people with disabilities.
Moshe Davidovich, The head of the Mate Asher Regional Council, defined the residents of the periphery and people with disabilities as “transparent people” who are not seen by government ministries. Davidovich added: “Only about 4 years ago, the station in Karmiel was ceremoniously inaugurated under the title Innovation, Accessibility and more … And what happened today? There is no innovation and no accessibility. The station does not operate exactly when the public needs it, because the line is closed for jobs Electrification. ”
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