Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz visited Kever Rashbi in Meron last week as the ministry launched its preparations for Lag B’Omer, promising to do everything possible towards transporting hundreds of thousands of visitors to and from Meron without incident.

According to officials, the challenge is a formidable one, the need to move some 500,000 people in a 24-hour period, involving the ministry, Israel Police, the Vaad of 5 [at Kever Rashbi] and many agencies funding and logistical operations.

Looking back at last year’s success, officials point out this year Lag B’Omer falls out on motzei shabbos and Sunday, presenting its unique challenges, but expressing confidence that this year’s event will show an improvement on last year’s success. Egged buses will operate from Jerusalem and Bnei Brak and shuttle service operation will be moving drivers from designated parking areas outside of Meron.

Egged and other companies are weighing possibly offering advanced ticket sales in Bnei Brak, Ashdod and other cities, realizing the arrangement proved successful in Yerushalayim last year.

Yahadut HaTorah MK Menachem Eliezer Moses has been meeting with Egged officials, discussing adding additional meeting departure points in Bnei Brak. Last year, such a location was designated on Damesek Eliezer Street, operating in line with the timetable of buses on the Tzfat-Meron line. This year, it appears another location will be operating, at the end of Chazon Ish Street at the corner of Ezra St. near the Beis HaChayim. Bnei Brak is also seeking another viable location, which will operate if there are a sufficient number of advanced ticket sales.

Israel Police applauded last year’s traffic arrangements, signaling this year, restrictions will begin on Wednesday. On motzei shabbos, the area surrounding the kever will be shut to private vehicles. Buses and vehicles without permits to enter the area will have to park in one of three pre-designated lots, Parud, Ein Zeitim and Safsufa.

Only public transportation buses and private buses from approved major companies such as Hoffman, Netivot Chessed and Darchei Noam will be permitted in the kever area. All other buses and private vehicles will be stopped at more distant parking facilities and brought to the area in shuttle vehicles.

Police will also inspect buses at distant locations including S’dei Trumot, Megiddo and Elyakim Junctions, to prevent the need to stop all incoming buses in the Rashbi area, seeking to minimize interruption of the flow of traffic in the area. Following inspection, a special sticker will be affixed to the door and only buses arriving with stickers will be permitted to let off passengers in the kever drop off area. Police point out that with the opening of area 18 on Highway 6, the traffic in the area of Elyakim Junction is expected to be significantly heavier than last year.

HaMevaser reports that organizers are concerned that since this year is motzei shabbos, there will be a greater volume of travelers during a shorter period of time and as such, 120 shuttle buses will be operating from parking areas instead of 90 last year. Officials add that provisions have also been made to accommodate additional buses at the parking areas.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)