In order to make it easier for passengers to adapt to the change, it will be possible in the coming months to load one’s Rav Kav smart card at the bus drivers with a “free day” or a single ride purchase for NIS 5.

In addition, beginning on Thursday 21 Adar, the possibility of purchasing a paper ticket for a single trip will also be canceled. However, the Ministry of Transportation will allow elderly citizens to continue to purchase paper cards from drivers in the coming weeks, in order to facilitate their adaptation to change.

The Ministry of Transport has provided commuters with a wide range of options for filling one’s smart card, cash or credit card, and enjoying a discount of tens of percent on public transportation.

The multi-line cards can be loaded at any of the 400 charging points advertised in Jerusalem, 100 of which can be paid in cash or credit, and the rest on credit. The card can also be loaded at the Central Bus Station and online stations in the city. There are also Rav Kav ATMs set up to permit one to charge one’s card around the city with a credit card without paying any additional service fee. The Coffix chain also offers charging stations, as do the Mayan 2000 supermarkets along with dozens of smaller groceries and minimarkets.

Those with a Rav Kav with the computer chip may also fill their card after downloading the cell phone app Rav Kav Online and using one’s home computer after buying the card reader that connects to the USB of the computer for a nominal fee.

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz explains by relieving drivers of this duty, there will be fewer delays and disruptions, permitting the drivers to concentrate on their most important job, getting passengers to and from their destinations safely.

Ministry officials calls on commuters to familiarize themselves with the many options and charging stations and to take advantage of them to avoid delays on the bus.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)