Jerusalem Transit News

[CandOforprogress2]

What about security? with half the population wanting to blow up and kill the other half and with recent events in Brussels how does that affect passenger flow

[Dragoman]

Thanks Dave, for sharing this.

[daveklepper]

Prior to April, 2000, all Jerusalem local buses were high-floor Merecedese, both foiur-wheel and articulated six-wheel.  The exception was one MAN low-floor four-wheel transit bus, a sample or test bus, introduced in 1999, and similar to those already in the Dan Cooperative fleet in Tel Aviv.  A fleet of MAN low-floor four-wheelers came in 2000, articulateds a year later, and now all of the local Egged routes are all low-floor.  The first MAN artics, like the preceding Mercedes artics, had three doors, two in the front section and two in the rear.  Four or five years ago MAN artics arrived with four doors, with two in the rear section, the rear door being near the very rear of the bus and requiring internal steps.  Now arriving are five-door artics, with what looks like about 50% of the right wall area being taken up with doorways, the front section with three doors and the rear with two, all the usual double-width doors.

 

At the same time, proof-of-payment is being adopted, with signs on the converted buses stating one can enter via any door, and electronic card-readers on posts throughout the bus, alternating with the stop-signal buttons. 

 

 

Volvo low-floors have entered the suburban fleet, as well as Arab-sector bus lines.  They ride better, better suspension, than the MAN buses.  In general, the Arab sector buses have had more comfortable seats than Egged Jerusalem local buses. They also operate on Saturday, which does not affect me.

With fare intergration, one zoned system applies in common to Egged suburban and local buses, Light Rail, wholey in Zone 1 - City Center, and between Malkha (Jerusalem) and the Zoo stop on Israel Railways.   Meaning that with my monthly pass I can not only ride light rail any time I wish, but also a train, if only one stop and with not very frequent service.  The Arab sector buses are not withing this fare system, but for me, a senior citizen, each ride is slightly less than one dollar in current exchange.