FINALLY!!!! TLV-Jerusalem railway is up and running!!!
Oct 5, 2018, 6:50 am
#31
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Jerusalem
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,281
Mind-blowing! Train was packed (only few of the pax were people who actually got off a flight), the same old tired red double-decker but SO quick. It took me more time getting to my apartment in the center of Jerusalem from the central bus station than the ride from the airport to the new train station. I will post a more detailed report in a couple of days.
Oct 8, 2018, 4:07 am
#32
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Oct 8, 2018, 7:06 am
#34
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Oct 8, 2018, 8:32 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2016
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Oct 8, 2018, 11:40 am
#36
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No, the free rides are by using your Rav-Kav at the kiosks in the Jerusalem station for one-way or r/t rides, starting in Jlem.
The voucher is basically like saying that the Jerusalem - airport line has reserved ticketing.
The voucher is basically like saying that the Jerusalem - airport line has reserved ticketing.
Oct 8, 2018, 5:00 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Jerusalem
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,281
I have by now taken the train three times; speed and punctuality are great but it is one big mess. On all three rides, in different times of the day, it was packed mostly with ultra-orthodox families. I'm not sure where exactly most pax are going to but definitely not to TLV. Since there is a train every 30 minutes, and they are the double-decker type and not rather long I suspect that the free ride draws the masses (I cannot complain, I took it to Haifa and back for free).
As for the vouchers; that being Israel no one really seriously enforces that, so every one is either running for his/her life or simply hopes to be lucky, sophisticated, assertive and the like. But as I say, they don't really check it and frankly it is quite difficult as they come in different formats (an actual ticket, a SMS message, email) and no one has the time or nerves to inspect it. You can wave at them something and it will work.
The bardak is mostly when departing Jerusalem since this is the only way to ride for free and also people actually live there (whereas no one lives, naturally, in TLV). For the TLV-Jerusalem sector I paid something like 14 NIS.
So, a great service that one day will become more civilised.
Picture to follow...
They are not really inspecting the vouchers
As for the vouchers; that being Israel no one really seriously enforces that, so every one is either running for his/her life or simply hopes to be lucky, sophisticated, assertive and the like. But as I say, they don't really check it and frankly it is quite difficult as they come in different formats (an actual ticket, a SMS message, email) and no one has the time or nerves to inspect it. You can wave at them something and it will work.
The bardak is mostly when departing Jerusalem since this is the only way to ride for free and also people actually live there (whereas no one lives, naturally, in TLV). For the TLV-Jerusalem sector I paid something like 14 NIS.
So, a great service that one day will become more civilised.
Picture to follow...
They are not really inspecting the vouchers
Oct 9, 2018, 3:24 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
Ultra-orthodox schools and colleges are on vacation until tomorrow. Considering that they are usually on low incomes it is probably a fun day out for the family.
Oct 22, 2018, 4:17 pm
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Gateshead
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I tried the train out yesterday and am looking forward to my ride again later. One thing which is a bit annoying, how far down one has to go actually reach the platform at the Jerusalem end. One has to take a bunch of escalators and it is quite a kerfuffle with luggage. But all in all, the train is the way forward-at the moment, as we Jews like FREE stuff!!!!
Oct 22, 2018, 11:59 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 65
One of the new Youtube videos mentions an elevator all the way down to the platforms.
Oct 23, 2018, 5:03 am
#41
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As predict earlier in the thread. There are endless safety issues with the train causing many delays and cancelations.
Oct 23, 2018, 9:22 am
#43
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Took the train yesterday. It's weird - you go through an initial check, supposedly checking if you have a voucher, but they didn't stop everyone. Then you can "buy" a ticket, and then there's a guy checking your Ravkav against a handheld device, then security, then small escalator or quick elevator followed by the actual entrance with a ticket.
Then is when I highly recommend taking the elevator. It is looooong via escalator.
Just as we were meant to leave, they announced that there was some technical issue and we switched to the train across the platform. Left 6 minutes late but the total ride was indeed 20 minutes.
Weird that there were no English announcements (like on the TA - TLV line), and no automated announcements in the station at all.
Then is when I highly recommend taking the elevator. It is looooong via escalator.
Just as we were meant to leave, they announced that there was some technical issue and we switched to the train across the platform. Left 6 minutes late but the total ride was indeed 20 minutes.
Weird that there were no English announcements (like on the TA - TLV line), and no automated announcements in the station at all.
Oct 23, 2018, 9:47 pm
#44
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As I mentioned, there have been endless issues, and ongoing criticisms of the transport minister for opening the line too early (took them 17 years anyway, so what's a few more months...).
Knesset panel to hold emergency discussion on high-speed train woes
Knesset panel to hold emergency discussion on high-speed train woes