(haipo) After years of attacks, threats and line closures, the Ministry of Transportation is embarking on a new bus security pilot. In Haifa, one of the cities suffering from the phenomenon, a bus security unit has already begun testing, but labor organizations warn: This is only a first step, and does not replace punishment and recognition of drivers as public servants.
Violence against bus drivers and inspectors in Haifa has long been no longer an unusual event, but a recurring phenomenon. In recent years, the city has recorded cases of severe physical attacks, threats, objects being thrown at workers, and even blocking buses, putting the lives of drivers and passengers at risk.
Only in recent months has there been another escalation. In November-December 2025, an Egged driver was brutally attacked by youths on HaGefen Street, an event that led to the shutdown of Egged lines 37 and 37A in protest. In March 2025, a female inspector was attacked during a shift on Metro Line 1, which once again intensified the workers' demand to recognize drivers and inspectors as public servants. Even earlier, in April 2023, a passenger threw a stone at an inspector, and in another incident, a scooter rider blocked a bus and tried to prevent the driver from continuing the trip.
Following the events, drivers and labor organizations threatened and even implemented line shutdowns, the Labor Federation and the Haifa Municipality called for harsher punishment, and in the city's education system, there were even calls to schools to hold educational talks on the subject: respect for public transportation service providers.
Mounted security guards and rapid response
Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Transportation launched a new pilot of a bus security unit, designed to address the growing violence. The unit is operating in the first phase in seven major cities: Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer Sheva, Beit Shemesh, Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit and Rahat.
As part of the pilot, operated by the "Reshaf" company that won the tender, security guards on motorcycles operate whose job is to escort lines, respond quickly to violent incidents, integrate into the existing security system, and act as a deterrent in the field. The goal of the move is to strengthen the personal security of drivers, inspectors, and passengers alike.
The pilot is already in the works and is expected to officially come into effect on January 28, 2026. The Ministry of Transportation notes that this is part of a broader system, which also includes supervision and control of the level of service, handling public inquiries, safety inspections of public vehicles, and even a pilot for making intercity lines accessible to wheelchairs.
Power to Workers: “An important step but far from enough”
The committees of the transportation organizations, in the Workers' Power organization, welcomed the start of the security unit's activity in Haifa, but clarified that this is not a comprehensive solution. "We welcome the start of the pilot operation for a security unit and thank retired Chief Doron Turgeman for promoting the pilot. We call on drivers not to hesitate if necessary and to use the application. However, this is only a first step in eradicating violence against TAHBA workers. Two security guards (in the case of Haifa and five other cities) or three (in the case of Jerusalem and Rahat) will not be able to contain the scale of violence that has been rising in the last two years and, more importantly, will not replace the lack of punishment for the perpetrators.
We will continue to fight for justice against the attackers of the TTA workers and insist that the Ministry of Transportation and the companies make the necessary investment, because when it comes to the security of TTA workers and passengers, there is no room for compromise:
- We demand the rapid transfer of bus security videos from the companies and their use by the police.
- Funding security guards on disaster-prone lines.
- "Recognizing the employees of the TAHBATC as public employees under the law and punishing their attackers accordingly."
What nonsense, who came up with these stupid ideas? The impact on security of these security guards will be exactly the same as the impact of the Oz security unit. In other words, zero.
The unit should be activated against the Haredim, free eaters in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and anywhere else where there are Haredim, later throughout the country.
The ones who need protection are the passengers! Not the drivers. Do you want to establish another unnecessary "force"? That at least enforce laws like the smoking ban that exists and everyone is putting a stop to it, including drivers who smoke on buses! Who protects us? But God forbid that happens, why not if we can continue to abuse the passengers even more. This is the real goal of another "force" like this that will of course come from public funds. They are just trying to use force on citizens whose status is weak. Is anyone checking this? Of course not.. A state that protects the criminals and not the victims.
Anyone who travels in Haifa knows how much public transportation is a trap for exploitation and slander. I have never encountered a violent incident against a driver, but I can count dozens of cases in recent months alone that have happened to passengers. But it is easy to ignore the reality that in no other city have I seen things like what is happening here with the "inspectors" who only prevent money from being made and receive encouragement from above to extort even unjustly, the main thing is to meet the fine quota. Justified or not, it no longer matters. What is important is only to fulfill the destination.
There is no difference between exploiting the elderly, exploiting the helpless, or exploiting power over captive passengers. They are all equally criminals. And yes, not every job respects its owner. Empowering exploitation and fraud should not be legitimized and encouraged. This should be conduct that should be condemned.
Just watch them how they behave and you will understand that there are shameful things happening. Since when is it legitimate to stop an entire bus and leave all the passengers trapped inside because of suspicion of someone not paying? Who are you to falsely imprison people?? In a country that barely has public transportation anyway, they still allow themselves to delay and harm everyone for no reason. They regularly allow themselves to prevent freedom of movement from dozens of people, cause delays, delays and disrupt everyone's routine. Where else does something like this happen??? A disgraceful country!! With their behavior today, it is a fear of traveling on public transportation. We need protection for the passengers and not for anyone else!!! And the constant conclusion – every citizen must have their own private vehicle today. Public transportation is not a safe and available place. And it seems that it is no longer normal either..
The ones who need security are the passengers!
The drivers are very violent and try to fight with passengers over every little thing.
It's time❗️
Great pilot, we at Agad are using the Electra unit, which will deploy cannons and arrive within 6 minutes. It helps with the chaos. There are no champions on them. There are attacks by passengers on inspectors. We need to eradicate this phenomenon.
And why those cities?
In short, all the cities that have violent minority sectors. Haredi..Arab..Ethiopian..
Yael, I'm in the bathroom right now and I'm just shitting on you.
Your response just shows that what I said is true.
By the time they respond, the driver will already be attacked. Each such incident occurs within a few seconds to a few minutes. The unit's response time will be at least ten minutes, and by then it will be too late. The driver will be attacked, the attackers will flee!!!
Good morning and good luck. My idea
And it is assumed that many also thought so, to accompany public transportation, with the security forces.
Against violence on public transportation.
Praise God for implementing the idea.