For Israelis, the simple task of riding the bus is subjected to strict limitations imposed by the Orthodox religious authority.

 

Operation of public transportation is severely limited during the Jewish Sabbath (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday), restricting the freedom of movement for those segments of the population that do not have access to private vehicles; children, elderly, the poor and people with disabilities.

 

Moreover, this also results in the loss of many lives when young people drive under the influence when they return from Friday night celebrating, since Saturday is the only weekend day.

 

Another egregious state supported phenomenon is state financing of gender-segregated public bus lines.  Publicly subsidized bus companies have instituted this service for their ultra-Orthodox riders who refuse to allow men and women to sit together. In a number of instances these segregated bus lines are the only direct bus route offered by the bus company (such as Jerusalem – Safed) and offer cheaper fare than the regular lines.

Hiddush Report on Sex-segregated Buses in Israel