Peak demand: Since this morning (Friday), thousands of Israelis have been visiting the 'Rav-Kav' stations across the country - with the entry into force of the second phase of the 'Transportation Justice' reform by Minister of Transportation Miri Regev.
The National Public Transportation Authority in the Ministry of Transportation, starting this morning, deployed nearly two hundred flight attendants to dozens of Rav-Kav charging stations across the country, who assist the traveling public in providing information about their rights as part of the reform and in charging the new profiles in the various Rav-Kav subscriptions, in order to receive the benefits they are entitled to.
The attendants stationed at the 'Rav-Kav' stations were equipped with advanced terminals, which allow them to issue 'Zehav-Kav' cards on the spot to senior citizens aged 67 and over, which entitle them to unlimited free travel on all public transportation lines throughout the country, and to update the user profile on existing 'Rav-Kav' cards.
The flight attendants also distribute informational materials, including information brochures about the 'transport justice' reform in Hebrew, Arabic, English, and Russian.
Under the guidance of the Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev, the Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken, along with senior officials of the National Public Transportation Authority, toured the 'Rav-Kav' stations during the morning, closely monitored the activity and spoke with many passengers to learn firsthand about the public's reactions to the revolutionary move, which for the first time in Israel provides free travel to more than a million citizens, and adds over a million and a half additional citizens to the circle of those benefiting from the 50% discount.
Due to the extremely high demand for 'Zehav-Kav' tickets, beyond expectations, packages of new tickets were sent this morning to many 'Rav-Kav' stations across the country. The Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and his staff personally volunteered to deliver them to the attendants at the information stations.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said this morning: "I am happy to see the response of the citizens of the State of Israel who came out this morning to exercise their rights under the 'Transportation Justice' reform that I led. The goal of the 'Transportation Justice' reform is to bring about a real behavioral change among the subjects, and to expand the circle of public transportation users in Israel."
Ministry of Transportation Director General Moshe Ben-Zaken: "I was pleased to discover that the extensive information campaigns we have carried out in recent weeks have borne fruit, and that the public is familiar with the principles of the reform and wants to exercise their entitlement on the very first day. Thousands of citizens gathered this morning at the information and service stations we have set up in dozens of locations across the country, receiving assistance in exercising their entitlement to a discount or free travel.
"In addition, tens of thousands of requests to update profiles have arrived at Rav-Kav Online's websites and service centers and payment applications. The high demand proves that the public understands and appreciates the move that the Minister of Transportation led on its behalf in a determined and uncompromising struggle, especially during a period of cutbacks in all government ministries."
"At the same time, we continue to invest in improving service, adding lines and buses, and increasing frequency - because public transportation is the only solution to road congestion."
The second wave of the 'Transportation Justice' reform brings significant news of a 50 percent discount for an additional million and a half citizens, in thousands of neighborhoods and streets in the country, ranked at socioeconomic levels 1-5, who were not included in the first wave.
For the first time in Israel, and in accordance with the request of Transportation Minister Miri Regev, eligibility was determined by street or neighborhood rating, and not just by the rating of the entire locality as was the case in the past. This ensures that eligibility for the discount will reach the public who really need it, with the highest level of accuracy.
Starting next week, mobile service stations will be set up in several places in Israel that will allow the issuance of 'Rav Kav' and 'Zehav Kav' subscriptions to people aged 67 and over, which allows free travel on all means of public transportation.
The National Public Transportation Authority distributes informational materials to passengers at the "Rav Kav" stations and at central stations, including information brochures about the "Transport Justice" reform in various languages: Hebrew, Arabic, English, and Russian.
In addition, information will be distributed to passengers about the new changes, through signage placed at central stations and bus stops throughout the country.
At the same time, starting today, public transportation fares have also been updated by two shekels per single trip, and the prices of various subscriptions will be increased accordingly. However, it should be emphasized that most Israeli citizens are entitled to a significant discount that greatly reduces the price increase, or to free travel.
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