The Ministry of Transportation has rejected efforts from chareidi MKs to curtail Shabbos bus lines. The MKs three weeks ago turned to the ministry, requesting to minimize the number of Shabbos-approved routes that are operating.

Director-General of the Minister Keren Turner-Eyal sent her response, stating the ministry does not have the authority to cancel these lines since permission was given by the minister personally. She also expressed criticism, explaining the city lines operating in certain neighborhoods are the result of private initiatives and NGOs, not the ministry, and therefore, not in violation of any law.

MK Maklev however feels that the response from Turner-Eyal does not address the issues at hand and that the ministry did not take action to stop Shabbos lines that should have been stopped.

However, he points out, the ministry was quick to act when the chareidi tzibur tried to operate private mehadrin lines, as the ministry shut them almost immediately. He decries what he views to be “selective enforcement of the law by a government ministry”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)