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Photo: Motti Kimchi
Huldai and Katz
Photo: Motti Kimchi

Tel Aviv mayor rebukes transportation min. on lack of Shabbat public transport

Mayor Huldai publicly confronts Transportation Min. Katz on lack of public transportation in Tel Aviv on Shabbat; referring to Katz's plan to utilize shared taxis, Huldai says, 'taxis not enough, not operating trains on Shabbat is impossible.'

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai confronted Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz Wednesday morning over the latter's inability to solve the gridlock on the upcoming light rail's operation on Shabbat and demanded Katz endeavor to change the law regulating it.

 

 

The two met at a ceremony showcasing a model train car for the city's light rail project.

 

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz debate operating the light rail on Shabbat (Photo: Motti Kimchi) (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz debate operating the light rail on Shabbat (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

Katz spoke about public transportation on Shabbat just last Saturday, saying he's attempting to promote shared taxis as public transportation solution in Tel Aviv on Shabbat.

 

"As to the light rail," Katz remarked, "that will be decided when it's ready. Reforming the operation of shared taxis on Shabbat will both improve public transport, and it will gain (public—ed) support. The Haredi public won't cross any lines protesting shared taxis. When every person will have the option of using this service on weekends the public transportation problem will be solved."

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"The train has to act like a Shabbat elevator," Huldai told Katz. "We must have public transportation that operates on Shabbat."

 

"You're the mayor," retorted Katz. "It's up to you to make the rules. Make a decision and we'll try to find a solution."

 

The pair posed in front of the model train car (Photo: Motti Kimchi) (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
The pair posed in front of the model train car (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

"Why isn't there a solution already?" wondered Huldai aloud.

 

"I'm working to allow the operating of shared taxis on Shabbat," Katz replied. "I'm on the cusp of reaching an agreement."

 

"I asked for overall public transportation," Huldai clarified, "not cabs. They aren't enough."

 

"The professional ranks in the ministry and I allow public transportation where it's needed," Katz summed up. "At the end of the day, we have to obey the law."

 

"Then change the law," Huldai exclaimed.

 

Katz agreed that seeking public transportation on Shabbat in Tel Aviv is reasonable, and said he is doing everything in his power to allow a reform to shared taxis on weekends, thus avoiding controversy. "Trains are merely auxiliary transportation," he said, "Their numbers and frequency are different than those of taxis."

 

The model car is slightly shorter than the finished version (Photo: Motti Kimchi) (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
The model car is slightly shorter than the finished version (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

After taking the stage to speak, Huldai repeated his assertion that investing vast sums of money in a light rail project without finding a way to operate them seven days a week, as is the custom in other countries, is impossible.

 

Katz explained that a technological solution is also being sought for operating public transportation on Shabbat. "Maybe a Shabbat clock," he offered. "There are various entities working on a solution. I don't have a problem with being responsible for it, I have the authority, and the prime minister gave me the responsibility. I'll promote the train and we'll all end up riding it together."

 

The model train car that arrived in Israel is part of the light rail's planning and manufacturing process, and was exhibited in Tel Aviv Wednesday.

 

NTA, the company carrying out the light rail project in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, explained it's customary in projects of this scale for the manufacturer to present a model after some preliminary design work in order for it to be examined and critiqued before the actual train cars are made.

 

Among the parameters debated are seat comfort, the cars' design and safety features.

 

The train car—placed on Rothschild Boulevard near Habima Square—is built like the genuine article, though at 23 meters instead of 34, it is not as long.

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.13.17, 23:43
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