Bus Driver Suspended After Watching TikTok While Driving

A bus driver for the "Electra Afikim" company was suspended from his job on Monday after being filmed watching TikTok videos and using his mobile phone while driving a bus on route 350 from Bnei Brak to Ashdod. Passengers who noticed the dangerous behavior attempted to alert the driver to the risk to their lives, but he responded by shouting at them while continuing to watch videos. One passenger described the frightening moments, stating, "It was really scary. When we went to see what was happening, we were surprised to find him busy watching videos. Even though we asked him to stop, he yelled at us and chose to continue."

Electra Afikim responded to the incident, saying, "We view the driver's conduct with extreme severity. Upon receiving the information, the driver was removed from the schedule and immediately disqualified from continuing to make trips for the company." This safety incident occurs amidst legal turmoil for the company. Electra Afikim, along with approximately 15 other public transportation operators, recently filed a massive lawsuit against the Ministry of Transportation in the Jerusalem District Court. As part of the lawsuit, the companies are demanding the cancellation of deductions totaling tens of millions of shekels due to a unilateral change in the penalty mechanism. They attacked the ministry's policy in the lawsuit, claiming a "truly unrestrained and predatory trend and conduct," while attributing service deviations to fundamental industry problems.

The Ministry of Transportation stated that its response would be submitted in court.