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Aviv Getting Around |
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Public
Transport
Due to Tel Aviv’s growing expansion and traffic
congestion, plans are underway to construct an
underground transit system. For now, transport around the city on
the bus network operated by the Dan
Bus Co-operative (telephone: (03) 639 4444).
The bus service is fast, punctual
and economical, with over 300 bus stops located throughout the city.
Most buses follow circular itineraries starting and finishing at
the Central Bus Station, 108 Levinski Street (telephone: (03) 638
4040), with routes throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.
The network is broad, with almost all buses running
through Ben Yehuda Street and Dizengoff Street. Buses in the city
run daily from 5.30 am to 12.00 am (except on Shabbat).
An ordinary single fare ticket in central Tel Aviv
costs NIS 5 and is purchasable on the bus, whether traveling one
stop or all the way across town. Very few locals buy these as most
people have a pass. Visitors are advised to ask the bus driver for
a kartissiya, a 25 ride ticket for the price of 23 single fares.
It is not a big saving but it is convenient and prevents looking
for small change each time you board a bus. Senior citizen and students
(with ID) can purchase all bus tickets at a discount.
It is sensible to avoid bus travel during the morning and evening
rush hours (7.00 am to 8.00 am
and 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm) whilst there are big traffic jams.
Buses have been a favourite target of the Palestinian suicide
bombers and some visitors may feel that bus travel
is not worth the risk. Despite the fact that Israeli bus drivers
are highly trained to anticipate and deal with danger, this has
proved insufficient when dealing with the particular threat of suicide
attackers.
However, buses remain the most accepted and economical
form of transport and Israelis are still using them as normal. Bombers
can, of course, strike anywhere, not just on buses. It is safer
to take long distance non stop buses, which depart from a central
bus station (where there is high security), rather than buses that
stop regularly to pick up more passengers.
Visitors who notice anyone or anything suspicious,
while waiting for a bus, boarding a bus or during a journey, are
advised to walk quickly up to the front of the bus and tell the
driver immediately, even if the bus is moving. All bus drivers can
speak some English.
Taxis
Taxis are managed by meters based on Tariff 1 (5.30
am to 9.00 pm) and Tariff 2 (9.00 pm to 5.30 am and Shabbat). A
taxi ride of 5 to 7 minutes at Tariff 1 will cost NIS 15 to 20,
while Tariff 2 rates are 25 % higher.
Tipping
is not usual and not expected, although it would not be refused
and a very small gratuity of about 5 % is sometimes given. When
starting a journey, the driver is legally obliged to activate
the meter, however several taxi drivers claim to have problems with
their meter and do not switch them on or claim to offer a better
price than would be shown on the meter. To avoid being cheated,
it is worth equiring at your hotel reception or the tourist office
for some idea of what the fare to specific destinations should be.
Taxis can be hailed on the street or booked by
telephone in advance. Some reputable companies
include:
Hameshuhrar Ltd (Liberated Taxi Ltd)
Address: 94 Allenby Street
Telephone: (03) 566 1818)
Ihud Taxis Ltd
Telephone: (03) 962 6090 or 961 8886/7
To differentiate them from sherutim (see below),
taxis are colloquially known as ‘special taxis’. The
Controller of Road Transport is the governing body for taxis and
sherutim, handling all enquiries and complaints:
Address: 8 Hamelacha Street
Telephone: (03) 565 7214
Facsimile: (03) 565 7216
Sherutim
An substitute to a taxi or bus is the popular sherut (literally
‘service’, ie service taxi, the plural in Hebrew is
sherutim but visitors should be aware that this also means toilets).
These shared taxis are generally
stretched Mercedes or minibuses, seating 7 or 12, and they usually
follow fixed public bus routes. However, they allow passengers to
get on and off anywhere on the journey and may take other routes
when necessary to dodge heavy traffic.
Delays are rare and passengers should board quickly
as drivers pull away sharply, both drivers and passengers are very
intolerant of anyone holding things up. Some sheruts run on Shabbat.
Fares are generally about the same as the bus fare (approximately
NIS 5 or NIS 6). A reputable provider is Mercaz (telephone: (03)
639 3055).
Limousines
Limousine hire and guided limousine
tours of Jerusalem and beyond (including visits
to Jordan), are available from:
Twelve Tribes
Address: 29 Hamered Street, Tel Aviv
Telephone: (03) 510 1911
Website address: www.twelve-tribes.co.il
Guided Limousine Tours
Address: P. O. Box 39539, Tel Aviv
Telephone: (03) 642 1649
Website address: www.glt.co.il
The 2 companies have different price structures but rates start
at about US $380 for a 9 or 10 hour day, depending on the make of
car, with additional expenses for overnights.
Driving
in the City
The widespread, low cost bus and sherut service and the close proximity
of all the main attractions means that driving in the city is not
really necessary, thankfully, as it cannot be recommended. Tel Aviv
drivers tend to be very dangerous and impatient,
and rapid to use the horn. In addition to the fast, irritable driving,
drivers should beware of such time saving tactics as driving on
the sidewalk in order to get in front of other vehicles. Experienced
drivers are advised to remain calm and cautious when driving through
the city.
Street parking
is firmly controlled. Tel Aviv has switched to the EasyPark smartcard
system, an in car electronic device (about the size of a pocket
calculator), which automatically deducts the cost of street parking
from the driver’s credit or debit card and which can be examined
electronically by parking attendants.
Most locals have 1 of these devices in their car, but it is also
possible to buy traditional parking cards.
These can be attained from street kiosks, post offices and gas stations
at around NIS 35 for 5 hours. This is a strip of paper with punched
tabs for the hours of the day, drivers tear a tab to designate the
month, day and hour they parked. Numerous different kerb
side colour codes indicate what parking is permitted.
Blue and white means parking is allowed with pre paid parking cards,
however, visitor are advised to always check the signs as well for
the hours of operation and any restrictions.
Visitors should not park where there is any other kerb side colour
as they all represent restrictions, several streets in Tel Aviv
operate residents’ only
parking schemes. No line usually means free parking but visitors
should always check for the signs as well as parking regulations
are rigorously enforced.
There are also informal, unregulated pay to enter
parking lots all around Tel Aviv, including by the beach south of
Opera Tower and on the approach into Jaffa.
Car
Hire
Cars can be rented on presentation of a passport
and a valid driving licence, drivers
must be over 21 years, although those between the ages of 21 and
23 may be required to pay a slightly larger insurance rate. Typical
car rentals cost approximately NIS 185 to NIS 350 per day. Car hire
agencies also sell the mandatory insurance required in Tel Aviv
(see Getting There By Road).
The major Israeli car hire firm is:
Eldan
Address: 114 Hayarkon Street
Telephone: (03) 527 1166
Website address: www.eldan.co.il
It has a user friendly website accepting secure online payment and
offers considerable price discounts for Internet bookings. Other
major car hire companies in the city are:
Avis
Address: 113 Hayarkon Street
Telephone: (03) 527 1752
Website address: www.avis.co.il
Budget
Address: Dan Hotel, 99 Hayarkon Street
Telephone: (03) 524 5233
Address: 32 Rival Street
Telephone: (03) 688 5777
Website address: www.budget.co.il
Europcar
Address: 126 Hayarkon Street
Telephone: (03) 524 8181
Hertz
Address: 144 Hayarkon Street
Telephone: (03) 522 3332
Website address: www.hertz.com
Thrifty
Address: 122 Hayarkon Street
Telephone: (03) 524 4935
Address: 30 Hamasger Street
Telephone: (03) 561 2050
Website address: www.thrifty-israel.com
The majority of these companies, and others, have desks at Ben Gurion
Airport. In addition, most have toll free booking numbers in the
United States of America.
Bicycle
Hire and Scooter Hire
Bicycles are a great way to travel around this flat, warm, dry,
beach side city. After a campaign by Tel Aviv Bicycle Association
the city introduced a number of city centre bike paths
and trails.:
Address: 85 Nahalat Binyamin
Telephone: (03) 566 9667
Website address: http://bike.org.il/taba/index_e.html
However, cyclists are advised to wear a helmet
and should be aware of the city’s fast, aggressive
driving style and harsh congestion during rush
hour. Tel Aviv Bicycle Association organises a weekly Friday afternoon
group ride in the city and supplies information about biking throughout
Israel.
Bicycles can be hired from:
Round Trip
Address: 5 Bograshov Street
Telephone: (03) 527 5731
Website address: www.geocities.com/round_trip_il
Rates are NIS 350 for a week, NIS 100 for a day or NIS 25 for an
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