Israel Police are summoned hundreds of times monthly by light rail inspectors.

Passengers at times are detained by light rail inspectors if there are problems with their smart cards, which are often due to technical malfunction. Police are summoned on the average of seven times daily.

In fact, MK Uri Maklev has learned that inspectors detain more passengers because they do not always summon police. He is concerned that police are bothered by this so many times daily, preventing them from addressing far more important matters. Maklev also points out that all too often the problem is technical in nature and not non-payment – explaining the smart cards malfunction or it is not clear to passengers as to what they are required to do.

Maklev feels the light rail inspectors are “too aggressive” as often passengers err and their non-payment is not the result of an intentional act.

Maklev explains “Take for example a woman comes to Jerusalem with her three-month-old infant for a medical visit and used the light rail for the first time. She purchases a one-time card but is not aware she needs to validate it upon entering the train. She is taken off the train and four inspectors surround her and police are summoned as if she is a suspected terrorist. All of this because they fear she stole a single ride. This is not and should not be a police matter but police are cooperating with inspectors and respond to calls, and this is a part of the problem.”

Maklev made his remarks in a Knesset query to Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who responded he does not want to have police become in involved in these matters, but pointed out a policeman may be at the station and he may become involved at times. He explains “Israel Police tries to respond to all calls whether it come from citizens or light rail inspectors. We are happy to lessen the workload in any and all cases viewed as a waste of police personnel’s’ time.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)