Transport Plan Gives Free Rides to 75 and Over

By Shimon B. Lifkin

YERUSHALAYIM – A plan to streamline fare offerings on public transport will feature free rides for people 75 and over, and a 50% discount for those 60-74, the government announced on Sunday.

Minister of Transport Merav Michaeli said that the plan merges 80 different fares in cities across the country into only five different fares.

Currently, passengers in Akko pay double what passengers in Teverya pay, and passengers in Bnei Brak pay double what passengers in Beit Shemesh pay.

Michaeli blamed the fare inequality on “years of political pressure and backroom deals.”

Riders under five will continue to travel free and children 5-18 will get a 50% discount. People with disabilities and receiving income support will receive a 50% discount instead of the current 33%.

Under the plan, the discount currently offered when loading cards with multiple rides will be canceled. Starting in the summer, one flat-fare city ride will cost NIS 5.50, including 90 minutes for a second ride within a 15-kilometer radius, with no discount for multiple rides, except when buying monthly tickets. A flat fare train ride within a 15 kilometer radius will cost NIS 9.

Monthly tickets for riding buses and the light rail but not including Israel Railways will cost NIS 225. Monthly tickets for riding buses and the light rail including Israel Railways up to a distance of 40 kilometers will cost NIS 255. Monthly tickets for riding buses within a 40-kilometer radius will be available nationwide for NIS 99 excluding the Yerushalayim, Tel Aviv and Haifa metropolitan areas.

Meanwhile, Army Radio reported that ridership on public transportation is down by 25 percent in Bnei Brak and 17% in Hadera following the deadly terror attacks last week.

Throughout the country, ridership is down 10%.

“We are all concerned about the security situation,” said Michal Frank, the Transportation Ministry’s director general.

While acknowledging that “we are more vulnerable on public transportation,” she said security teams are on alert.

“We need to be vigilant,” she said.