The Ministry of Transportation has approved a direct line from Betar Illit to Meron which will already be operational this Lag B’Omer. The line will operate weekends only during the first year.

Betar Mayor Rabbi Meir Rubinstein states “Betar is the third largest chareidi population in Israel after Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim. The news of the new line to Meron is well received by the many that will take advantage of it”.

According to officials, the new line will also serve residents from Betar Illit to Tzfas. Rubinstein praised the decision, which he explains has been requested for a number of years. The new line will be operated by the Netiv Express Company. For this Lag B’Omer, a maximum of 20 buses have been allocated for residents and others wishing to travel to the tziyun of the Rashbi on Lag B’Omer will rely on “Rashbi Transportation” in Betar Illit. The latter is subsidized by Betar City Hall so the price is close to the price of the official line. On the other hand, it has some advantages to the official line since it drops off passengers on the top of the mountain and children under five are free.

In addition, the Betar Family Fund announces that orphans and widows will receive free bus tickets to Meron similar to that tickets distributed by the fund on erev yomim tovim.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)