For many of us who travel in Jerusalem, residents, commuters, visitors etc., we've pretty much gotten used to riding in the Jerusalem trolley. It's pretty easy, because it's free. Yes, there are a few difficulties, like finding a seat at times, holding on when standing--because the poles are dangerously high and there aren't any straps to grab.
Since it's still free, a ride on the train is now part of the tour.
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| All those red caps are from a group of tourists. |
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A close friend of mine who lives in a senior-independent living home in Bayit V'Gan, near Mt. Herzl and Shaare Zedek, is very worried. Now she can take one bus from just outside her door, which takes her downtown or all the way to Emek Refaim and even Talpiyot. If she has to switch from bus to train to bus, she just won't be able to get out. It's too much. She's not the only one who would find such route cancellations life-changing in a very bad way.
Another even more serious problem is that there just won't be enough room on the trains for all the passengers. At present, even as the train is free and buses-still full of passengers- cost money, the trains are packed. There's no room for the bus passengers to join. Also, it would add much too much time to the trip to get on and off buses and trains and back again.
I wonder how many of the planners are dependent on public transportation. Before they make changes, they and their families should spend a month only traveling on buses and the lightrail. And the job should be restricted to those who live, work and/or shop in Jerusalem.
*Would this really effect the Arab bus lines, or are they exempt?
