Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., March 02, 2008 Adar1 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 13:22 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 10:06 28/02/2008 Gov't: We didn't know Shabbat bus services would be canceled By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Meretz, Dan, Israel  The Transportation Ministry on Thursday said The Tel Aviv regional bus company, Dan, did not have government approval to cancel bus service on Saturday afternoons, and said the refusal to await approval would violate their licensing and possibly subject the company to penalization. The ministry apparently only heard about the move by Dan when it was published in Haaretz on Wednesday. Dan announced Wednesday that beginning this week end, they will stop Saturday afternoon bus service. Dan announced the move by plastering posters at bus stops around central Israel and in a bulletin on the company's website. Advertisement The move would affect nine bus lines in the Tel Aviv area which as of now begin operating at 4pm on Saturday. If the change is implemented, the lines will not start running until 6pm in the wintertime, and 9pm in the summer. A spokesman from the Transportation Ministry said that Dan had submitted a request in writing which will be reviewed Thursday. Dan issued a statement that said the cancellation was "only a matter of adapting schedules, and doesn't require Transportation Ministry approval." The Tel Aviv Municipal Traffic and Transportation Authority said they were not aware of any request for cancellations of Saturday afternoon service. As of next week, buses will begin running only after sundown on Saturday, in accordance with the conclusion of the Jewish Sabbath. MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) has demanded Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz cancel the decision immediately, calling the move "underhanded opportunism" which issues a "harsh sentence on public use of public transportation." "For the secular public, which represents most of Israel, the end of the Sabbath is an arbitrary halakhic designation which has no real significance," said Cohen. "This public wants to continue to enjoy public transportation as early as possible," he said adding: "and of course this carries social and environmental significance. Related articles: Store manager fined for employing Jewish workers on Shabbat Chief Rabbi Amar allows Shabbat work at Ben-Gurion Airport Stop forcing people to work on Shabbat, Eli Yishai urges businesses Yishai warns stores over Harry Potter book launch on Shabbat El Al: We are not surrendering to ultra-Orthodox pressure Company vows to make Dan buses environmentally friendly Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   Welcome to Iran 11:52  |  Max 28/02/08   2.   Welocme to Shasistan 13:16  |  SJ 28/02/08   3.   Business is Business 13:30  |  Yoni 28/02/08   4.   THERE IS ONLY ONE SIN PUISHABLE IN THE "JEWISH" STATE! 13:33  |  Ani 28/02/08   5.   balance 13:45  |  voice of reason 28/02/08   6.   Serves you right 14:07  |  Chanalau, Tova 28/02/08   7.   Secular Iran 14:11  |  J Glass 28/02/08   8.   welcome to Soviet 14:32  |  Nathan 28/02/08   9.   It must be a plot of docim in the Dan company 14:40  |  Puhi 28/02/08   10.   Shas politicians should ride donkeys 13:07  |  TEA 02/03/08

Today Online Violence continues as 6 Gazans die, Qassams wound at least one Israeli Responses: 67 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza Responses: 97 Zvi Bar'el: Get ready for the third intifada Responses: 9 Harel and Issacharoff: Hamas will now try to avenge Gaza deaths Responses: 23 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Responses: 35 Rosner's Domain No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 13:17 Violence continues as 6 Gazans die, Qassam barrage wounds at least one Israeli 13:21 Olmert: We won't halt Gaza operations even for a second 11:52 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza 09:51 ANALYSIS: Hamas' next move will be to avenge Gaza deaths 10:10 The perspective from Ashkelon: Don't test our patience 10:35 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura 10:27 Ahmadinejad in Iraq on trip that shows Iran's influence over Baghdad 08:58 Race for the White House: In Ohio, Hillary Clinton comes out fighting 06:47 Hummus test: Peki'in's Jewish tourists switch from Druze to Muslim 12:17 Expats' kids in IDF: 'If I don't help defend my home then who will?' Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved