Major improvements are planned in the near future to the betterment of Beit Shemesh’s public transportation, the daily HaMevaser reports.

The Riva Company, hired by the Ministry of Transportation reports that most of the complaints it receives surround the crunch hours, 07:30-08:30 and 13:00-14:00. These are the hours buses are packed with students heading to and from schools. Superbus is simply incapable of handling the volume of commuters officials report. Riva reports it checked into the matter and during the crunch hours, all of Superbus’ 25 buses are working on local Beit Shemesh lines, so it cannot add buses to alleviate the rush hour load.

As such, the decision was made to add lines during these hours, as well as improving service on the existing 11,12 and 14 lines. There will also be new lines, the 15 and 17. The final routes for these new lines are yet to be determined.

In addition, the 412 line to Tel Aviv will begin operating on Friday and motzei Shabbos, and there will be improved service on the 424 and 323 lines to Kiryat Gat.

In the summer, new lines will be introduced to connect Beit Shemesh to other cities, such as Rechovot, Rishon L’Tzion, and Elad. Efforts are also underway to improve the 419 line between Ramat Beit Shemesh and Yerushalayim as well as connecting Beit Shemesh to the north and south with lines to Haifa and Rechasim to operate weekends.

Deputy Mayor Rabbi Shmuel Greenberg, who holds the transportation portfolio states that when the new plans are implemented, residents of the city will be able to reach most major cities around the country and they will enjoy improve intra-city service as well.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)