A special line of the Moniyot Ha'ir taxi company began
operations in Bnei Brak last week. The company, founded by
the rabbonim of Mishmeres Hakodesh Vehachinuch of Bnei
Brak, is backed by all of the city's rabbonim.
The rabbonim called for the opening of the new line since the
Dan bus company has refused to honor its obligations to
insure that its Bnei Brak line conforms with the values of
the city's residents. The new company is also expected to
provide broader service than is currently available.
The new company has promised not to post offensive ads or
announcements either outside or inside its vehicles; to
disconnect all the radios in its cabs; to guarantee separate
seating between men and woman; to use modest language and to
have a considerate attitude toward passengers. The rabbonim
hope that the new company's success will compel Dan to also
abide by the residents' demands.
In addition, an extensive study has shown that the residents
of Bnei Brak's neighborhoods suffer from a lack of convenient
public transportation from the various neighborhoods to the
city's center. There are also not sufficient bus lines
between the various neighborhoods. According to information
culled by the Transportation Department, 50 out of every 1000
chareidi residents of Bnei Brak own private cars, whereas 250
out of every 1000 non-chareidi Israelis own cars. This shows
the high dependence of Bnei Brak residents on public
transportation.
The mayor also stressed the need to help families who must
resort to the use of private taxis -- whose high costs they
cannot afford -- due to a lack of convenient public
transportation. He also noted the need to establish organized
alternatives to the city's numerous unlicensed mini van
drivers and to totally eliminate that phenomenon.
The first line to open was line no. 50, which leaves Kiryat
Nadvorna and follows the following route, picking up
passengers at these stations: Ezra-Nechemia-Chazon Ish-Rabbi
Akiva Yerushalayim-Chevron-Harav Kook-Rabbi Akiva-Aharonowitz-
Reines-Ben Zakai-Shimon Hatzaddik-Rabban Gamliel-337-HaRav
Attia- HaRav Sonnenfeld-HaRav S. Cohen-HaRav Kahaneman Rabbi
Akiva-Chazon Ish-Nechemia Ben Yaakov-Ben David-Kehilos Yaakov-
Har Sinai-Harav Uziel-HaRav Yitzchak Nissim-Damesek Eliezer-
Ezra-Kiryat Nadvorna.
The fare is 2.5 shekel for those who purchase a special card
(20 rides for 50 shekel) and 4 shekel for single rides.
The company's success in providing service to all city
neighborhoods, with additional lines, underscores the many
changes the Bnei Brak Municipality is effecting for the
benefit of the city's residents. The mayor, who fully
supports the granting of licenses to the company, has
displayed his realistic grasp of the transportation problems
of all Bnei Brak's many neighborhoods.
The new company is directed by professionals in the field and
consults with other experienced services. The new and fully
air-conditioned vehicles conform to all of the rabbonim's
guidelines.
