Jerusalem City Hall and the Ministry of Transportation announced on Thursday that beginning next Sunday; the Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City will be closed to all vehicular traffic between 9:00am-6:00pm. Exceptions will be made for residents with parking stickers affixed to their vehicle, authorized deliveries, and drivers with valid handicapped permits.
The closure is part of the new city plan to reduce congestion in certain areas, and despite objections from the frum community, the decision was made to close the Old City down to private vehicles, a reality that will make reaching the Kosel increasingly difficult for many.
A company that feels it is entitled to delivery permit may telephone the city at *2180, the special phone number established to address such requests, to ascertain if a permit will be forthcoming. City officials report the recent ‘park and ride’ experiment has been a success, clearing the way for the implementation of this decision.
Drivers will be compelled to park at the designated lot, at a reduced price, and will then take the 38 line into the Old City. Special bus tickets will be available for this as well. As a result of the new arrangement, the bus will run at an increasingly frequent schedule.
Since traffic flow is generally not congested between 6:00pm and 9:00am, the Old City will remain open to motorists during those hours.
The 1,2, and 3 lines will continue operating as they do today, increasing their frequency during peak hours. Bus officials add the Jerusalem 75 minute ride pass, permitting one to ride as many buses as one wishes in a 75 minute period, will be applicable to Old City lines too.
The daily HaMevaser reports the decision is contrary to the position of the chareidi community and a kol korei of rabbonim who express opposition to the planned change. Rabbi Chaim Miller, a prominent Jerusalem askan questions how officials arrive at such a decision without engaging in a dialogue with community representatives.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
This would be great if they didn’t shut down the bus lines so often. There’s no need to take cars in there IF the buses are running. Problem is, Egged cuts service on the 1,2 & 3 at the mere rumor of congestion (what the media calls a “riot”) in some areas.