[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]
Once again an Egged bus driver feels he has the right to verbally assault a chareidi, this time an IDF soldier.
The soldier is assigned to Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) and presented his IDF identification which permits him to travel on public transportation even when not in uniform. This case occurred two weeks ago, on a number 75 bus, one of the buses which permits one to board via a rear door as validate one’s smart card on one of the vehicle’s electronic readers.
The driver realized the young chareidi man did not swipe his smart card and shouted at him to “come to the front”. The soldier presented his valid IDF photo ID which clearly permits him to ride for free but the driver decided to shout at him nonetheless.
When the shouting began the soldier took out his smartphone and began recording. The driver stopped the bus and got up from his seat and began shouting and cursing at the soldier.
Shouts included “get rid of the camera”, “get to the back”, “you piece of garbage”, “you smelly ‘dos’ (derogatory term for chareidi)” and “I’ll show you – try to video me. See if I break your phone”.
The soldier is heard responding “Chutzpan” (impertinent) to which the driver responded “The one who brought you [into the world] is a chutzpan ya smelly dos!”
At one point, the soldier turned to riders and questioned why no one has come to his aid, at which point a woman got up and addressed the driver’s behavior.
Egged explains that it appears to be an unfortunate incident that in no way reflects the conduct of its drivers in Jerusalem, drivers who work hard and remain cordial to the many hundreds and thousands of passengers daily. Egged decries the driver’s condition and he will be summoned to a disciplinary hearing of the company and that will address the matter”
The company adds that when a soldier boards the bus dressed in plainclothes he is responsible to show the driver his card to identify himself. This is particularly so on local buses where people regularly board from rear doors in line with the instructions of the Ministries of Transportation and Defense.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
Wow, the Chardakim are getting it from all sides; not only from Chareidim but even from Secular.
Looks like egged has to change there driver each time it s an unfortunate driver i wounder how many unfortunatr drivers egged has,what will egged say next time
Levy a heavy fine for such behavior.
While we’re talking about Egged buses – what is it with their Speeding Drivers?! Many years ago in Israel I recall the buses always sped like we were at a professional car race – I even hadto grab someones hand as they were falling on a speedy turn. My wife was recently in Israel and she fell getting a cut. What the heck is wrong – is there no speed limit – and shouldnt citizens feel SAFER in a city bus!! I recall recently reading on YWN about a speeeding bus driver that got into a dangerous accident. Here in NY I wish drivers sped a little more – but in Israel what gives?
If Egged has any sense of pride as one of the oldest established enterprises in Israel and a household name throughout the country, it will immediately dismiss this driver. Who is more dear to the majority of the Israeli public than a member of the IDF? Shame on this disgusting driver.
#1 reshayim come in all flavored
I think buses should be required to have the bus drivers name on a plate at the front of the bus like many companies in the U.S.require.Many Egged drivers really do drive way too fast and take curves like they are in the Indy 500.They don’t give elderly passengers time to sit down before roaring off and also take extensive breaks when they’re supposed to be driving.This seems to especially be true on haredi routes like at the Kotel where you can wait 45 minutes or more for a bus.Unfortunately,Egged seems very uninterested in Customer service.