Reservist Soldier Awarded NIS 30,000 After Being Forced Off Jerusalem Bus

A reservist soldier, identified only as "Aleph," was awarded 30,000 shekels (approximately $8,000 USD) in a settlement with the bus company Egged after being asked to leave a bus in Jerusalem on Memorial Day. The soldier was on his way to his base when the driver of route 845 told him the bus was for Haredi female students only. He boarded through the back door, but passengers reportedly demanded he leave, claiming it was a private transport. The soldier stated he felt like a "second-class citizen." The Center for Reform Judaism and Israel's Ministry of Religion assisted him in the legal process. Egged acknowledged the incident was serious and contrary to its policies, promising to reinforce guidelines against discrimination.

This case highlights broader issues of passenger rights and compensation in Israel. The article details various scenarios where passengers may be entitled to compensation from bus companies, including discrimination, injuries sustained during travel, being left behind at a stop, or even assault. The amounts awarded can range from a few thousand shekels to hundreds of thousands, depending on the specific circumstances and proven damages.

For instance, a passenger injured in a sudden braking incident in 2016 received approximately 193,000 shekels from the Dan company. Another passenger was awarded 3,000 shekels for repeated instances of a bus failing to stop at his designated stop. In cases of discrimination, a student was awarded 40,000 shekels by Egged in February for being told to leave a "girls only" bus, and in 2012, Superbus paid 12,000 shekels to a passenger asked to move to the back to accommodate Haredi men.

While the law prohibits discrimination on public transport, not every request to leave a bus is deemed illegal discrimination. In cases of assault by a driver, the driver may be personally liable, while the bus company's responsibility depends on the specifics. To claim compensation, passengers are advised to document the incident thoroughly, including route numbers, license plates, times, locations, witnesses, and any relevant photos or receipts. While complaints can be filed with the bus company or the Ministry of Transport, financial compensation typically requires pursuing legal action or contacting the relevant insurance provider.