Thousands of buses, and dozens of trains: The Ministry of Transportation summarizes the operation to transport hundreds of thousands of worshipers for the Rashbi festival in 2015 as a great success.
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The largest and most complex transportation operation in Israel was implemented this year on a particularly short schedule due to the Sabbath, and was completed in an orderly and safe manner, to the satisfaction of the worshipping public.
This year, Lag BaOmer fell on a Friday, which created transportation constraints to lead and return the masses in a shorter period of time than usual. Precise preparation over many months, integrated management in real time, and close cooperation between all parties led to complete success.
Thousands of buses were operated from about 20 locations throughout the country, with an emphasis on efficient, fast and safe service.
The departure points included shade, drinking stations, refreshment tents and toilets, along with hundreds of stewards and ushers. In addition, Israel Railways and the Kavim operation operated to reinforce public transportation.
A central situation room established on Mount Meron, managed by the National Public Transportation Authority and with the participation of representatives of all public transportation operators and representatives of the Traffic Division of the Israel Police, controlled the flow of traffic using drones, which provided accurate, real-time information on possible congestion at the terminals and access routes, and enabled rapid and well-founded decision-making on the ground.
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev conducted a situation assessment on the ground during the night, and under her guidance, the ministry's Director General Moshe Ben-Zaken conducted ongoing situation assessments throughout the day and throughout the night, with the participation of Deputy Minister Uri Maklev, in ongoing coordination with the Israel Police, the Police Traffic Division, MDA, firefighters, public transportation and Israel Railways operators, and other operational agencies.
The train service, which operated both on the outward and return journeys this year, contributed to the success of the operation, and many passengers used it as a fast and safe way. On the return journey, an enhanced service was operated from Karmiel to all parts of the country, at no additional charge.
Despite the end of Operation Meron on Friday, the Ministry of Transportation also provided hundreds of buses from Meron and Safed on Saturday night for the thousands who remained in Meron on Saturday.
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev: "Managing this event is a national challenge. And this year, under particularly short schedules, we managed to meet it with honor. Thanks to the combination of excellent preparation alongside real-time management, the use of advanced technology and full cooperation between all parties - the Israel Police and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Ministry of Jerusalem and Tradition headed by Minister Meir Porush - we managed to bring the crowds of Beit Yisrael to Meron and return them safely.".
Deputy Minister Uri Maklev: "This year we faced a double challenge, both a huge volume of passengers and a tight schedule due to the Sabbath. Thanks to the dedication of hundreds of employees and police officers who left home and came to take part in this major operation, the precise planning and drawing lessons from previous years, we were able to carry out an operation that the immigrant community from Mirona welcomes. We will continue to strengthen and improve the service in the years to come.".
Ministry of Transportation Director General Moshe Ben-Zaken: "Our professional teams responded in real time, in the situation room in Meron, at terminals, train stations and dozens of departure centers across the country, and worked in full synchronization with the police. Under the guidance of Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, we will hold a lessons learned meeting to become more efficient in preparation for future events.".
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