May 3, 2015
Shabus in Jerusalem on Shabbos
A couple of months ago Jerusalem secular activists announced their plan to operate what they call the "Shabus" - a private bus that will operate on Shabbos.
As there is not really any such thing as a private bus, as the public transportation industry is controlled by the government and Egged has a near monopoly, though it has shrunk in recent years with other bus companies being awarded tenders in some parts of the country. Private bus lines are unlicensed and illegal. Obviously tour buses are ok and can get licenses as such, but they cannot operate a real bus line. There are some private bus lines, usually in various forms of legal trouble - they are private buses that generally operate under a tour bus license, and try to circumvent the legal methods of passenger fees by charging memberships and the like.
The Shabus is a private bus, but it is not really a bus line. It is private tenders set up in the form of a cooperative, vans that drive around and pick people up along a route.
NRG reports that this past Shabbos was the official launch of the Shabus in Jerusalem.
The Shabus is operating to connect the entertainment centers with various neighborhoods; Pisgat Zeev, French Hill, Downtown, German Colony, Arnona, Talpiot, Kiryat Yovel, Bet Hakerem and Rehavia.
In its first night of operation, about 100 people rode the Shabus lines - 3 minibuses between 10pm and 2am.
The Shabus is registered as a Palestinian transport company, with the drivers being Arabs, in addition to charging membership subscription fees. The website, http://www.shabus.co.il/ , is registered to a Laura Wharton in Bet Hakerem - a name that does not sound particularly Palestinian, in a neighborhood that is not particularly Palestinian.
They are going to need to boost up those numbers a lot if they plan on staying viable. From a legal perspective they probably will be able to survive, considering the way they operate, while it is the financials that will seal the fate of the Shabus to survive or to wither.
The chilul shabbos is sad and disturbing, but at least it is being done privately, along with other private chilul shabbos that is already happening, rather than in some official form approved of by the authorities.
As there is not really any such thing as a private bus, as the public transportation industry is controlled by the government and Egged has a near monopoly, though it has shrunk in recent years with other bus companies being awarded tenders in some parts of the country. Private bus lines are unlicensed and illegal. Obviously tour buses are ok and can get licenses as such, but they cannot operate a real bus line. There are some private bus lines, usually in various forms of legal trouble - they are private buses that generally operate under a tour bus license, and try to circumvent the legal methods of passenger fees by charging memberships and the like.
The Shabus is a private bus, but it is not really a bus line. It is private tenders set up in the form of a cooperative, vans that drive around and pick people up along a route.
NRG reports that this past Shabbos was the official launch of the Shabus in Jerusalem.
The Shabus is operating to connect the entertainment centers with various neighborhoods; Pisgat Zeev, French Hill, Downtown, German Colony, Arnona, Talpiot, Kiryat Yovel, Bet Hakerem and Rehavia.
In its first night of operation, about 100 people rode the Shabus lines - 3 minibuses between 10pm and 2am.
The Shabus is registered as a Palestinian transport company, with the drivers being Arabs, in addition to charging membership subscription fees. The website, http://www.shabus.co.il/ , is registered to a Laura Wharton in Bet Hakerem - a name that does not sound particularly Palestinian, in a neighborhood that is not particularly Palestinian.
They are going to need to boost up those numbers a lot if they plan on staying viable. From a legal perspective they probably will be able to survive, considering the way they operate, while it is the financials that will seal the fate of the Shabus to survive or to wither.
The chilul shabbos is sad and disturbing, but at least it is being done privately, along with other private chilul shabbos that is already happening, rather than in some official form approved of by the authorities.
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A private sin is less venal than the sin of the nation. For a minority it will fulfill a need.
ReplyDeleteAs for public transport on Shabbat, the prospects of that being legalized are zero with haredi parties entering the new incoming government.
The status quo on religion and state in Israel will remain intact for the foreseeable future.
I think that this type of endeavor is the correct approach to public transportation on Shabbat.
ReplyDeleteAs a Jewish country it is appropriate that national infrastructure publicly keep Shabbat, for example that the national airline (El Al) doesn't fly on Shabbat, however foreign owned or private business should have the right to operate on Shabbat, within the guidelines of the law (for example private places of entertainment or restaurants may operate on Shabbat).
I think that this type of business addresses the needs of secular residents without Chillul Shabbat being officially endorsed by the government.
If they have any financial problems some left wing NGO will probably support it until they convince the supreme court that public busses should operate 7 days a week.
ReplyDelete- Dvir
Laura Wharton has been a member of the Jerusalem Municipality Council since 2008.
ReplyDeleteHere is here CV: http://www.laurawharton.com/CV.htm
Here is an interview with her about Shabus:
http://www.nif.org/stories/religious-freedom/meet-shabus-founder-dr-laura-wharton/