Traffic Court Justice Avraham Tannenbaum fined the Egged Bus Company 70,000 NIS for failing to respect the rights of the disabled.

Seven wheelchair bound Jerusalem residents filed suit, claiming Egged drivers fail to comply with the law that compels them to pull the bus over, turn off the engine, assist them in getting onto the bus and assist them in getting into position in the bus at the spot dedicated for wheelchairs.

The court fined the bus company after it understood this is a trend, the lack of adherence to the law to benefit the disabled, warning the bus company the next fine will be significantly higher.

Attorney Asher Axelrod, who represented Egged, released a statement that the court made a mistake. He stated the law does not detail how a driver must act and therefore, the decision will be studied and appealed.

Egged officials report the legal department is studying the court ruling and it may opt to appeal the decision.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)