Egged’s good days are a thing of the past according to most as riders are no longer willing to take whatever the bus cooperative dishes out. Commuters are learning that one may or even should file complaints when appropriate, and at times, one may even derive a measure of satisfaction from the response from the nation’s largest bus operator. In this case, complaints were filed but satisfaction was minimal if at all.
This case pertains to the many complaints from the Belz community, when passengers complained of being “stuffed in the buses like sardines” as they made their way on the 29 bus to Har Menuchot for the yahrzeit of the Belzer Rebbe ZATAZAL, earlier this week. An Egged spokesman released a statement after being inundated by complaints from the Belz community.
“Anticipating the large volume of travelers, Egged increased availability on the 29 line, once every 10 minutes” towards meeting demands.
“Coordinating with community askanim, buses operating on the special schedule began at 11:30am, near the Belz Beis Medrash with seven ‘accordion’ [articulated] buses – towards accommodating the request from the gabbaim of the Rebbe Shlita. These buses are permitted to take a maximum of 180 passengers, 70 sitting and 110 standing. They waited at the location for two hours until someone bothered to update Egged regarding a change in schedule. The seven articulated buses and drivers sat and waited for two hours!
“These buses were pulled from regular routes, resulting in increased pressure on the system during the prolonged time period. In reality, there is no limit to the number of passenger permitted to stand on inner city routes, just on inter-city routes, but nevertheless, Egged is stringent regarding vehicular regulations. During the time period, 7:00am-8:00pm, Egged operated 58 buses [in each direction] to Har Menuchot and back”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Egged should have had buses waiting there all day if necessary. Egged should be at the service of the Belzer Gabbayim and the Rebbe should be able to choose and change his schedule without taking into account other bus users demands. Egged have a chutzpa!