Transportation Ministry to Remind Transportation Operators About Discounts for Chutznikim in Israel

 

The Transportation Ministry instructions will benefit foreign citizens who have work visas, or student visas (only if valid for a year). Students, disabled, elderly and youths will be able to benefit from the discounts for bus and train travel just like Israeli citizens.

 

Even though the Transportation Ministry had issued this directive earlier, Israeli Shortcut received dozens of complaints from foreign passport holders who were refused discounts in various branches. Surprisingly, many of the complaints came from the Rav Shefa branch in Jerusalem whose demographic population is composed mostly of foreign residents.

 

Israeli Shortcut sent a letter to the Transportation Ministry asking them to send reminders to all branches issuing the discounts. The ministry immediate wrote back, “Upon receipt of your petition, the transportation Ministry sent another reminder to those operating the public transportation who are responsible for the service stand in the Rav Shefa shopping mall in Jerusalem. The Ministry will take action so that the directive will be kept by all operators of public transportation.”

 

Israeli Shortcut chairman Mr. Zev Zer thanked the Transportation Ministry for its readiness to address the situation and said he hopes it is indicative of a positive change towards the foreign population and will be followed by other ministries. 

 

Individuals eligible for discounted transportation fees have to go to the service center near their home which issues Rav Kav cards to get the discount. After showing their passport containing a work visa, or a student visa permitting them to remain in Israel for a year, the discount will be programmed into their Rav Kav card. Those seeking student discounts must also present their student cards. Click here for the list of schools whose students are recognized as eligible to receive a student discount.