“It’s good to be in Egged’s hands” the nation’s largest bus cooperative’s slogan goes but this is not so according to environmentalists.

Criminal indictments were filed against Egged officials by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, alleging that Egged did not purchase 170 modern pollution-compliant buses as it should have, but instead, purchased 168 older non pollution-compliant buses and only two of the newer buses.

The story actually began sometime ago, in October 2005, when Israel adopted European emissions criteria called Euro-4 for buses. The following month, officials met regarding the purchase of new buses, and the decision was made that Egged would buy 170 Euro-4 compliant buses. Ministry officials in the lawsuit explain that the older buses, which are only compliant with an older standard, Euor-3, contribute to pollution levels tens of times in excess of the new code.

Egged officials at that time, Natan Foreman and Aryeh Feldman were indicted in the Petach Tikvah Magistrate’s Court with counts referring to violation of anti-pollution laws and failing to uphold the responsibilities of their senior positions.

Egged spokesman Ron Ratner released a statement that environmental concerns remains atop of the bus company’s concerns, insisting Egged was the first company in Israel to bring buses that comply with the Euro-5 code of 2008-2009. Regarding the pending indictment, Ratner stated the bus company has not yet reviewed the particulars of the case and therefore, he may not comment.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)