Cab rates in Israel are expected to go down in two weeks, a move that was to have occurred months ago but it was blocked by Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz. Rates for a taxi in Israel are scheduled to go down at the beginning of October 2016 by 10.9%, a half year after the committee made its recommendations to do so – ordering a reduction in rates immediately.

Katz signed an order superseding the committee, explaining doing so would harm the income of drivers. Last week however he finally agreed to permit the reduction in rates. Now all that remains is the signature of Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon.

According to a report appearing in The Marker, the exact date and time of the reduction of fares has not been announced but it should be around erev Rosh Hashanah. The question that remains is how quickly will drivers have their meters calibrated to reflect the new lower rates. It is reported that Katz’s decision to prevent the lower rates six months ago cost Israeli riders NIS 340 million collectively.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)