Transport Minister Israel Katz has brought forward a planned reduction in long-haul intercity bus fares by up to 30%.
Minister of Transport Israel Katz has brought forward to Sunday, April 17, a planned reduction in long-haul intercity bus fares by up to 30%. A ministry announcement said that the measure was in response to rising fuel prices, and that it would come into effect the day before Passover.
The maximum intercity bus fare (except to and from Eilat) will fall to NIS 45 from the current NIS 63. Fares of NIS 51-56 will be NIS 42; fares of NIS 42-48 will be NIS 40; and fares of NIS 37-42 will be NIS 36.
As part of the biennial 2011-12 budget, the government allotted NIS 600 million for higher public transport subsidies. The upcoming fares reduction is part of this plan. In response to a public outcry, monthly passes for city buses were reduced by 10% last month, partly cancelling an earlier fare hike due to soaring fuel prices.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 11, 2011
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