Jerusalem – A free public transportation bus line offering full segregation between men and women and connecting the haredi neighborhoods and the Western Wall was launched in Jerusalem.
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The line’s initiators said that the new service was launched in protest of the Egged bus company’s refusal to instate gender separation on bus number 2, which they claim transports some 20,000 religious passengers to the Wall and back each day. They also noted that the bus fare in the capital is higher than in other cities.
A previous attempt to operate an alternative line to Egged’s was made about a month ago, but failed after Egged filed a complaint against the company that was supposed to provide the buses, for operating a public transportation service without the proper license.
Binyamin Mark of the “Holy Land Mehadrin Committee” said that this time a different company, “which is not deterred by idle threats” has been contracted, and that the plan now was to “go all the way” and launch several other lines soon.
Mark claimed that since the service is being given free of charge, there was nothing illegal about it.
Egged’s spokesman Ron Ratner said in response: “I find it inconceivable that piratical, aggressive and unruly lines, which go against the accepted norms in a well-managed western state will be operated in Jerusalem.
“I believe that the Transportation Ministry will not allow such an attempt, which could hinder the reform it has introduced in the last decade.”
For its part, sources in the ministry were quoted by Israel Radio as saying action on the matter was pending a High Court decision, and that a joint committee with ultra-Orthodox members is also examining the issue.
why can”t the medina just let them make the bus line whats the big deal?
Good. Welcome to the world of capitalism. They tried with Egged, it didn’t work out, so now they’re trying their own bus. Good for them, although I’m not sure where they’re getting the $ to operate.
Families should not be allowed to travel together?
Also, I hope these lines have the same protections against potential terrorists CV that the trained Egged drivers do.
Also, on Sukkos one is obligated to travel Egged, as the gemara says Lulav Tzarich Egged.
“Egged’s spokesman Ron Ratner said in response: “I find it inconceivable that piratical, aggressive and unruly lines, which go against the accepted norms in a well-managed western state will be operated in Jerusalem.”
Well managed western state? Have these people ever even seen a well managed western state?
this is totaly unnessecry u don’t need seperate buses for men and women its ridiculous
How wonderful that kollelim are bankrupt, tzdokos are crying for help, ehrliche yidden don’t know how they will make ends meet, but these nutcases can provide free transportation for their own. It is not cheap to run this system. Welcome to the twisted world of misplaced priorities.
On a different note, I think I recognize you, Pashuteh Yid from a different and rather adolescent website. Welcome to a freer exchange of ideas, you are a rare sensible voice among the many hashkafatronic robots out there. I stopped writing on the Romper Room Beis Yaakov site, and yes, I had a different name there.
Are Arabs also allowed to travel free?
Who will be funding the bus?
Will this just become afree bussing sevice in Chareidi Jerusalem, swipping enough away from Egged to get them to quit & then they start charging?
At least the Egged buses will be less crowded.
I am proud for the chareidim standing up for their rights. Yes, possibly lehalacha a segregated bus is not necessary, but many people are willing to impose extra kedusha on themselves. Egged decided to continue to force their doctrine on them, and they will succesfully fight back!
We all know that if the arabs were the ones demanding separate buses they would be granted immediately.
The war between those that are trying to destroy yiddishkeit and those that want to preserve it is just heating up. The frum will join together, and its ironic that the frei are just causing more achdus. The day will come when the frum will be granted autonomy within the medina.
As for a well managed western state, the West allows for a lot more religious accomodations than the State of Israel. They should learn about religious freedoms. The State makes accomodations for the Muslims, but not the Chareidim.
“Welcome to the world of capitalism”
Capitalism? Isn’t Egged heavily subsidized? if Egged is unwilling to provide the service that these people want, then I see no reason for disallowing them to provide the service on their own, provided they can find a means to pay for it. Imo it is wrong of Egged to try to block this. It is almost like trying to force all children to attend public school. What may be controversial though is the use of government money to subsidize such private alternatives. I guess that is where many draw the line.
Does Israel have a voucher system for yeshivas, in which some or all of the yeshiva tuition is paid by the government for those who don’t want to send their children to public schools? In the US, many are fighting for a voucher system, in which at least some of the private school tuition is paid by the government for those who don’t want their children in a public school.
Who is supporting this? When they come to my door asking for money do I have a right to ask if they are paying to “support” this “free” endeavor? Someone, somewhere is paying for it- and while they are all coming to my door asking for money for this that and the other thing, I would like to be sure that backhanded it is not me.
reb. hershel ziditchover said that milchems gog umogog means the fight between the frum and frei yidden before yemois hamoshiach,
It’s high time we stopped using words like frum or frei. We are all Yidden. Some of us have more mitzvohs and some less. Let’s stop behaving as if we’re two separate religions. This way those who are not so observant won’t use the excuse that they are frei or secular.
I think it’s a great idea to have segregated buses. It prevents alot of accidental or not so accidental touching between the two. Those who still prefer family seating are welcome to use the Egged buses. No one is forcing anyone to ride anywhere on anyone’s bus. As for me, Ich vil gein of meina geila bus.
Wouldn’t last for too long. The reserve supply of operational funds will soon be depleted. But it is worthwhile for the sole purpose of kicking the butt of a monopoly.
It seems that the people don’t really support this idea; rather it’s the work of a few kanoim.
Proof: They have to give it away for free in order to get the people to use it. If the people wanted it, they could charge at least as much egged.
If the people want to show the kanoim a thing or two, they should continue to use egged, but it’s hard to beat “free”.
WHH
The citizens of Jerusalem have a right to advocate for their interests, in this case, for separate mehadrin buses. I am surprised at the vitriolic opinion of #13 who in violation of Torah Law, does not give Tzedakah with an open hand, and who believes that every shekel given entitles the giver to make money management decisions on behalf of the recipient. #13 can rest in tranquility knowing that this is not being paid for by those unfortunate souls who resort to going door to door to support their families. Anyone who lives in Jerusalem, the Holy City, The City of G-D, and who has the difficult situation of riding the Egged city buses, would understand the need for Mehadrin service. We have long grown weary of Egged and their absolute refusal to serve the interests of the majority of their paying customers in religious areas.
Millhouse makes a good point, but do we hear anyone in these communities saying thanks but no thanks because what we really need is food and vocational training so please put your money there instead of into another bus line?
Me and my mishpacha will go egged. Some millionaires who have nothing better to do with their money (help the poor, fund yeshivos, soup kitchens, medical services, etc.) decide that they are running a FREE mehadrin line. This will not last, what happens when non-mehadrin people are waiting to get on to save the buck? You throw them out head first or feet first…. The buses will be over crowded and stopped by the High Court very soon. Those who do not care for Egged go by shert service instead!!! BTW who are the bus drivers, where& when were they licensed and trained to ride a bus….
I am poster #13 . The Torah tells me to give tzedakah and I do. Willingly. My door is open to those in need. I give my money. I give my time. It does not tell me to be sucker.
This will be successful because it is free. I wish them well! Now, I can take Egged with out having to have to deal with these rude people.
#17 ..can you explain ‘some of us have ore mitzvos, some have less’…are you taking about a different religion? as far a i knoe our talking about yiden there was only one relevation with 613 motzvos and all the detaqils that go with it (torah sebeksav) so if your talking about a different religion….
Nobody’s going to be thrown off the bus – YEAH SURE…..even the lady who is not wearing dark stockings, or the guys who come on in shorts and sandals.
I guess we’ll have a schnorrer blitz here in the states to pay for segregated buses.
just watch how this new bus system will blow up in their own faces for several reasons. one the money source will dry up. the drivers are not professional and they will have to pick up anyone by law if they have official bus stops. just because they are free does not mean they are exemped from the transportation laws which include insurancs,experienced and licenced bus drivers and most important discrimination laws
The law in EY says any “public carrier” cannot discriminate against any passenger whether they be arab or female or whatever. This is clearly illegal and thethere is no halacha they says this is required. Hopefully, these am’hoarotzem who started this fiasco will be fined and imprisoned if they don’t stop this service.
This bus service is PRIVATELY funded. No one is collecting for it. As some sane posters have pointed out, wealthy people are free to do with their money as they wish. Those of you who are up in arms have serious issues. Would you prefer to live in a country that dictates how you may spend your hard earned money? Maybe it should be against the law to carpool because people are riding free. Imagine, in New York it is even encouraged! Hey #40 , should we imprison and fine the people carpooling or the government officials who actually created carpool lanes? You may think it is “clearly illegal” #40 , but I don’t see how it is illegal at all.
And about the bus drivers, I’m sure one of the requirements on the application is a license to drive a Big Wheel (as in Fisher Price).
Way to go, I hope this brings more jobs for our Himishe brothers in Yerushalim. we should try to use it as much as possible.
It’s Time to Say Good-by to left wing control of all aspects of life in Israel
I like the idea this way the Egeed bus will be charedim free.
This is a short term play to pressure Egged and has been successfully done before. The #10 line today has Mehadrin buses because some Chareidim opened their own competing line and Egged was forced to compete. Those same Chareidim have been pushing Egged since the #2 bombing to do the same for the #2 line and Egged has refused. Their now putting their money where their mouth is and will probably prevail.
All signs the yetzer hora is working over time some hilige yid is trying to do something what will bring more kedushe!!
And bring yeshoes for all yidin get rid of all are zuros
And we attack wake up my brothers let’s not push away yeshoes!!!!
Encourage every good thing and will all bring the guela now!!!!!!
WHH
In response to #28 . I am #24 and from your comments #13 , it’s clear you have a sort of cognitive dissonance with your obligation under Torah Law to give Tzedakah, and the expressions of your feelings which appear to be in conflict with your obligations. Kol H’Kvod for the tzedakah you give willingly to those who come to your door. Chaval that you feel like a sucker for giving to someone who may not be as deserving. The Din is the same for you; its still tzedakah. For the guy who pretends to need, its on his cheshbon, not yours. You aren’t “smarter” because you can figure out who is schnorring b’tzedek and who isn’t. Keep on giving to everyone with an open hand and heart, and Hashem should bless you with every abundance.
“Its a democrecy, so they can do what they want”
What nonsens,1 there’s a system in place and egged runs buslines at times when there’s 2 people on the bus. 2 are they willing to service all chareidi lines? Or only the money making ones. 3 what happens when there’s a simcha/leviye of a rebbe are you gonna say capitalism or we ar gonna hear “chilonim” 4 if the law is, like its in the US a transportation company reciving funding (partial) from the goverment can’t discriminate between men woman black white AND INDEED MONSEY TRAILS, BORO PARK BUSES CANT HAVE MECHITZES
And last but not least the only reason you could live there is because its a democracy, since the last time I checked we are not the majority.
Let me know if I have the chareidi expectations right?
Chilony dosnt want a charaidi on the bus=anti semite
A young.. secular couple walking in meysharim being kicked out=democracy,majorety dosnt want them
CAN’T JUST DO WHAT YOU WANT AND CALL IT DEMOCRACY,TORAH IS NOT DEMOCRACY
This makes my stomach turn. Next, we’ll have seperate shopping hours at the supermarket and women eating Shabbat dinner in the kitchen, as not to offend male guests. This is not Torah Judaism and it is not holy. And it will fail because you have families in the community these buses are serving who can barely feed theirown children.
Still #13 here. Sorry, but my obligation is to give 10% (or 20% depending on your point of view) and to help people where needed. It is up to me to decide where that money is going. It is not going to people using it to alienate other Jews by creating chumra upon chumra. Never if I can help it.
Hopefully Egged will not give in. There is only so long someone is going to pay for these buses and give up. People need to decide which is more important, spending money on the well being (food, housing, etc) of those learning in yeshivos, or wasting time and money on a chumra (however well intentioned) with little to no basis in halacha.
>I think it’s a great idea to have segregated buses. It prevents alot of accidental or not so accidental touching between the two.< Only time I ever rubbed against someone of the opposite sex was on the Brooklyn-Monsey ‘heimishe’ bus due to the curtain running down the aisle. Which genius thought of that idea?