"Passengers who find out at 14:00 DST that the last train has already left, lose faith in public transportation" (Photo: Reuven Castro)
In recent days, Israel Railways published an update to its schedule in preparation for the transition to summer time on the night between Thursday and Friday of this week.
The update included a notice about the postponement of the start of train travel on Saturday evening from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., but the hours of operation on Friday did not change, and the service stopped already around 2:00 p.m., despite the later entry of Saturdays in the summer, after 7:00 p.m. .
In a letter sent by Max Morogovsky, the chairman of the passenger and expert association 'Transportation in our way', to the Ministry of Transportation and the train, he described the severe damage to passengers. The last train from Tel Aviv Savidor station leaves at 2:37 p.m. and arrives in the capital at 3:22 p.m. The last train dies "A Svidor to Binyamina leaves at 14:11 and arrives at its destination at 15:00.
Whereas the last train from Svidur to Ashkelon leaves at 13:30 and arrives at its destination at 14:35.
"An unreasonable end time even for winter time, almost four hours before the Sabbath," he noted.
If the bus services are extended by an hour on Fridays during the summer rush hour, why not by train? (Photo: official website, Israel Railways buses)
"This is the place to remind Israel Railways and the Ministry of Transportation that the train service is an essential public transportation service," Morogovsky told Walla.
"The fact that Friday is a short day by nature that is used by many passengers for leisure purposes, shopping and visiting family, sharpens the obligation of the train to provide service during reasonable operating hours that are compatible with the rest of public transportation and allow passengers to finish their Friday activities during the usual business operating hours and return home by train. Passenger Those who find out at 14:00 daylight saving time that the last train has already left the station lose all faith in public transportation."
It should be noted that the ultra-orthodox parties are exerting heavy pressure on the train to reduce its activity on Shabbat, such as urgent maintenance work and the completion of the electrification project, the postponement of which to weekdays will require the closing of tracks and the cancellation of many trains.
A railway official claimed that the schedule was set according to operational considerations, and not due to political pressures.
However, following Walla's appeal to the Ministry of Transportation, the ministry announced last night that the decision would be changed.
"The Ministry of Transportation ordered Israel Railways to act to extend the hours of operation on Friday, so that they are adjusted to the time of Shabbat," the ministry said.
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