Lag surprise: Transport to Meron did not collapse

Contrary to dire predictions, police deployment has proven itself and transport to Meron flowed smoothly. Loads were certainly recorded both on the way to Meron and at the exit from the mountain, but no collapse.

Towards Lag B'Omer, many who are involved in the celebrations at Meron feared a collapse of public transportation, as indeed occurred in the past.

Last year, the transportation collapsed dramatically, tens of thousands found themselves unable to reach Meron and had to wait for hours before they could get to the mountain.

This year the police prepared in advance and activated a plan based on the diversion of private transport from Meron and concentrating it in a of remote parking lots around the mountain. Special shuttle buses operating in the parking lots, drive the pilgrims to the entrance to the tomb.

During the night, traffic flowed normally and the private vehicles arriving at blocked roads were allocated to parking lots nearby in the cities of: Rosh Pinah, Safed, Carmiel and Tiberias.

However there were a number of local delays: at midnight police impeded bus traffic from Karmiel and Safed in order not to overburden the entrance to Meron.

According to police posts, it prepared in advance a series of parking lots designed to serve as a backup to the parking lots open to the public. Occupancy of these parking lots in Carmiel, Safed and Rosh Pinah was not complete, indicating that estimates of expected transport volumes to the mountain were reasonable.

"You could say that so far transportation has not collapsed," says one senior employee of organizations operating on the mountain: "It's surprising, but it proves that the policy of the police proved itself and allowed public transport to get to the mountain. So too Egged mobilized and managed to satisfy the demand. On the other hand, diverting private transport caused many to be unable to reach the place. There is no doubt that, although thousands arrived, it is less than what was last year."


This morning on the way out. Photo: Elishema Sandman

Police: refresh Directions
Two policemen were slightly injured while securing the masses at Meron. In addition, over 30 calls were reported during the last day of celebrants who were injured. One with a broken leg from a fall, some with minor injuries and some under the influence of alcohol.

Israel Police continues and clarifies that the recommendation is to reach by public transport and not by car. Drivers who never the less choose to reach by car, should turn to nearby cities, park their vehicles and take public transport lines towards Meron.

Below is a list of parking lots in nearby cities and public transportation which would be available:

Tiberias – Guy Beach Parking and Sironit Beach Parking - Line 450.

Rosh Pinah - Parking in front of the police station (Agas) - lines 511, 522.

Safed - the parking lot adjacent to Eshkol Pais - lines 5, 15.

Karmiel - Outdoor Mall - lines: 12, 361, 986.

Nahariya - CBS "Ga'aton" - line 367.

Hatzalah: without incidents
The opening of the largest security operation of Ichud Hatzaa in Meron, until this hour paramedic doctors and paramedics treated 301 medical cases, in cases of falling from a height, injuries, bruising, fainting, respiratory problems, and more. The security project will continue until the end of the events of Lag B'Omer in shifts around the clock.

Chairman of Union Hatzalah Ze'ev Kashash said: "You could say that with the grave of Heaven the security operation has so far passed without incident – in total casualties were treated in easy condition, the drives are prepared in teams throughout the mountain slope and at the tomb, and are prepared to respond quickly and immediately in any emergency required. It is important to note to all citizens that when contacting emergency rescue centers they should indicate the number on the sign next to them, which so far has been instrumental in providing rapid medical response."

It should be noted that in light of past disasters and serious accidents that have occurred in past years on the road, which killed and wounded worshipers returning to their homes or on their way back from Meron, the propaganda wing of Ichud Hatzala call to take extreme care to protect the safety of the masses so that they go and return safely.

Shraga Hoffman VP of Ichud Hatzala stated: "Unfortunately, every year we have witnessed serious road accidents which are caused by fatigue of drivers returning home from Meron. One second of an eye blink while driving G-d forbid, is enough to cause fatal accidents. Therefore, the drivers should set off only after resting, and in the case of fatigue they have to pull off for refreshment. One must not take unnecessary risks."

Hoffman added, and said, "The duty of care is intensified even more during the night, because visibility is weaker and requires more effort from the driver. If the driver is a little tired, it is a lot more difficult for him to strain himself and such driving is dangerous to all passengers and other drivers on the road."

Remember: "Vigilance and adherence to safety rules at the Lag B'Omer celebrations – prevent disasters!".

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!