Lag BaOmer Transportation Project to Include Direct Trains to Karmiel

The transportation challenge that is Lag BaOmer, with thousands upon thousands traveling from throughout Eretz Yisrael to Meron to the tziyun of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai, is close at hand, and this year, a new avenue of arrival is ready: 5 direct trains from Rosh Ha’ayin, Petach Tikva and Bnei Brak to Karmiel, and from there to Meron. In addition, regular train service from these cities to Meron will be increased to 2 per hour, but stopping at the usual stops as well.

The National Center for Holy Sites, Israel Police, representatives of bus services and local authorities met recently to shore up plans for Lag BaOmer. This year, seven bus services will be handling transportation, and as in recent years, no private cars will have access to the site. Some 10,000 bus trips are expected to be made to and from the site, with use of over 2,000 buses. 150 buses will serve as shuttle buses from the Ein Chozim and Perod parking lots.

Direct lines will be run to Meron from Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Beitar Ilit, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in Ilit, Ashdod, Haifa, Netanya, Teveria, Chatzor, Afula, Kiryat Gat, Rechasim, Tzfas, Elad, Netivot and Ofakim.

Since this year Lag BaOmer falls during the Muslim Ramadan holiday, many drivers will be fasting, and the various bus stations have set up locations for drivers to rest and/or break their fast. The public is asked to be patient in the event of delays caused by this or other factors.