Citypass officials report that an estimated 450,000 took advantage of the free service, opting to experience Jerusalem’s new light rail during its first week of operation. 14 trains moved passengers to and from Mount Herzl to Pisgat Ze’ev.
Anyone wishing to enjoy the new service can testify that the idea caught on quickly, as the trains were literally packed. Residents of all parts of the country took advantage of vacation time to visit the capital, bringing many children, all wishing to experience the new Jerusalem ride.
Hundreds of train employees were on hand to maintain order, to explain the system, and to distribute literature explaining how the joint bus-light rail system is expected to operate once the train service is no longer a free family experience, but becomes an integral part of the city’s public transportation system.
About 40,000 riders enjoyed the service on the system’s first day of operation, including Citypass executives. They circulated among riders towards receiving candid rider feedback. Citypass explains it remains committed to a new level of service, one not yet seen in Jerusalem. Officials explain that service centers have already been opened at the central bus station (opposite SuperPharm) and in Pisgat Ze’ev (67 Moshe Dayan Street) towards meeting the needs of riders. A third such center is planned for Mount Herzl, as well as a park and ride lot for commuters at the latter. The service centers operate on Monday-Thursdays from 7:00am-9:00pm. On erev Shabbos and Yomtov, from 7:00am-1:00pm.
At the centers, one may buy or charge rider smartcards, replace damaged or lost cards, obtain schedules and maps. One may also pay fines at the location. Anyone apprehended riding without paying will face a minimum fine of NIS 180. For Citypass information, one may call the new number, *3686.
In an effort to facilitate moving from the train to buses, in the coming months, Citypass plans to post bus schedules. The smartcard will permit transferring between buses and trains for a period of 90 minutes from the time payment is made.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
quote: ” Anyone apprehended riding with paying will face a minimum fine of NIS 180.”
You probably meant “riding WITHOUT paying” – Israel is not Sedom.
I was just on it the thing is absolutely worthless. clogs up the whole jerusalem is a major terrorist target because r”l you can hurt so many more people on the train than on a bus. slow as molasses it took 55 minutes from bayit v’gan to shivtei yisroel. dont know what the point was besides possibly to impress the oomos haolam which is a poor way to run a city.
I don’t know if it’s such a major terror target, considereing at least half the people riding it were arabs from east jerusalem!!
I was completely unimpressed by it. Coming from Melbourne, Australia where there’s a huge light rail network that dates back over a hundred years, this train is a joke. I wanted to get from the Shuk to the Tachana Merkazit, and the sign said the next train was in 35 minutes. I walked and got there in less than 10. So much for every 12 minutes…
Agree with wait time not worth waiting for it and it is clogged and Hashem yishmor definitely
But a great start for g-ds city for inevitability
I think its unfair to pass judgement at this stage of operation. Its been test runs for free during the busiest vacation time of the year. Let’s wait and see a few months down the line how it all goes.