FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Automobiles may be needed to transport handicapped people. Car pools can be used for people with similar needs and destination. Workers with heavy tools or supplies may need to use an automobile to get to a work site.

The aware members of the public, the operators of public transportation modes, and government officials must work together to promote comprehensive transportation planning and improved public transportation.

As the price of public transportation increases, and as the traffic jams mount, there is more incentive to buy and use cars. With the result that there are more traffic jams and degradation of service in public transportation. Studies done in Europe show that it costs government five times as much for a private car to bring someone to work than public transportation. Therefore bus riders standing on a bus stalled in the middle of traffic are subsidizing the costs of the private cars blocking the road in front of them.

Cost efficient public transportation costs less both for society as a whole and the individual traveler.

• Convenience: Public transportation can and should be more convenient. This includes getting Egged and its drivers involved in better service; posted schedules, greater driver awareness of his role in our lives, removing cars blocking the bus routes.
• Reduce price increases: The price of public transportation has gone up faster than other prices. Part of this is due to increased costs of buses caught in traffic jams. More money has to be spent on petrol for buses idling in traffic. Buses and drivers can make fewer runs in their time. Fare prices must be stabilized to increase riders. And car drivers must pay for their share of road costs.
• Private cars are one of the major sources of air pollution. Their use should be restricted.There should be no reason to drive a car in the center of the city. Fare prices should be reduced. Cars should be banned from roads in the center of the city during rush hours.

  Organizations that work for public transportation.

• Railroad supporters David Stiffelman,03-5194293, Aharon Gazit, h:03-570-6787, w:03-9358208
• SPNI, 13 Heleni HaMalka, J"m,02-625-7682
• Adam Teva V’Din, Headquarters in Tel Aviv,03-525-6462
• Jerusalem Branch: HaMegashim, Rh Dor Dor VDorshav,02-563-2177
• Jerusalem for Bicycles, POBox 8294, Jerusalem 91082
• Pinchas Richard Wimberly

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  There are three steps in our activity. As each is activated it re-enforces the others.

  1. Build information base. Who - is involved and knowledgable about transportation issues. What - has been done before in transportation activity and planning. When - will public meetings be held to share this information. How to - in Hebrew.

  2. Gather list of supporters.

  3. Action projects to influence decision makers in government, and transportation concerns.

  Objective: to increase the availability and convenience of public transportation in Israel. with the following:

• reduce cost of bus tickets.
• encourage the enforcement of traffic laws, i.e.
  - blocking intersections,

  - illegal parking on sidewalks needed by walkers,

  - use of mobile telephones while drivers are operating vehicles,

  - misuse of automobile alarms.

• prevent automobiles from blocking buses full of people
• - prohibit autos from roads used by buses during rush hours,
• - remove per diem from government employees.
• improve bus service
  - promote better driving habits,

  - establish guidelines for better relations between drivers and passengers. improve bicycle conditions in City, including bicycle paths.

• expand train service
  - establish line from Beer Sheva to Eilat,

  - promote increased service on Jerusalem\ Tel Aviv line.

  by means of these proposed projects:

  promote Metuna's Key Course Project for citizen reporting traffic safety violations.

  letter to President asking him to withdraw his criticism of "squealing", discouraging public involvement in traffic law enforcement and safety.

  letter to Minister of Internal Security to clarify and enforce the laws relating to blocking traffic intersections, illegal parking, use of mobile phones during operation of car, misuse of car alarms, and citizen involvement in law enforcement.

  Contact Egged for support and participation.

  Contact Minister of Transportation.

  Contact Minister of Infrastructure on need to expand railway.

  Contact Minister of Finance on rejection of price rise, and ask to tax autos and fuel instead.

  Contact MK's about program.

  Canvess at Bus stops in the morning.

  Hold public meeting

  Slogans: We stand in the middle of the street during rush hour already.

  There should be no economic reason to drive a car in the city.

  - reduce bus prices

  - tax cars for their over-use of public space.

  Links to transportation issues.

  TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES NETWORK

  Road Kill: How Solo Driving Runs Down Our Economy at CLF

  Jane Holtz Kay's book, Asphalt Nation

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September 23, 2003