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<strong>91</strong>.02.<br />
EDITORIAL.<br />
First, an apology; For some unknown and untraceable reason some of the items in<br />
issue 90 came out in a different font and in capital letters between the Editor‘s computer and<br />
Steve Waldenberg‘s. Several attempts to send again in different formats proved as frustrating<br />
as any other need to change gauge part-way along a route. Also, occasional copies have<br />
emerged with one side not properly printed. But hopefully all readers of either hard-copy or<br />
electronic versions will have been able to read, enjoy and learn.<br />
This issue brings us to the end of another Series and so the need for a further<br />
subscription renewal. As a reminder, the one attempt to gain some commercial sponsorship<br />
through advertising proved disastrous (for all concerned) and we rely on your subscriptions<br />
to cover at least most of the costs of actual production and transmission - many copies do<br />
go free to libraries and institutions, and the .pdf version saves appreciably in postage costs.<br />
The aim of the Editor is simply for the information to be circulated as widely as possible, so<br />
copying or lending is fine - I work for the love of it, but we just need to make sure that printer,<br />
paper and postage get their fare share!<br />
This issue includes a bizarre turn of events in Israel, a country whose political leaders<br />
are not always known for their aesthetic sensibilities, and where electrification is suddenly<br />
turning out to produce more sparks than illumination. But also there is suddenly much more<br />
progress on the possible/probable line to Eilat, further proposals for a line to Ramallah, and<br />
even a possible Fata Morgana of a line to Baghdad...... Will the trams in Jerusalem be running<br />
by then? The only problem is that there is so much ‚current news‘ that, once again, historical<br />
items have beenr ather squeezed. But I am not complaining.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<strong>91</strong>:03<br />
The Editor.<br />
Old and new: a 1945 armoured bus of Egged alongside the Alstom Citadis<br />
LRV on 28.09.10 at Jaffa street, Jerusalem; photo: Aharon Gazit<br />
<strong>91</strong>:04.<br />
NEWS FROM THE LINE.<br />
(i). DISABLED ACCESS.<br />
Several Disabled organisations have<br />
recently applied to the Courts to protest<br />
against the Railways regarding the way they<br />
are treated at stations. Claims include that<br />
boarding facilities are operated only when<br />
the Station Master is present, as he is the only<br />
person authorised to operate them; Also<br />
that the Railways refuse to co-ordinate journeys<br />
for them at rush hours, explaining that<br />
it is impossible to secure reserved seats for<br />
them due to the overloading of trains, and it<br />
also often occurs that despite co-ordination<br />
ahead of a journey, the railway employee<br />
needed to assist the disabled to disembark<br />
from the train is absent.<br />
The Railways responded that they<br />
are committed to providing the facilities at<br />
only half of the old stations and equipment<br />
of the others is being gradually implemented.<br />
It is not only the Station Master who is authorised<br />
to operate the facilities, as additional<br />
employees are also authorised; the rush hour<br />
issue is a real problem but the disabled travellers<br />
must realise that they have no priority<br />
over other passengers, who also risk being<br />
left behind at stations due to a shortage of<br />
capacity.<br />
Page <br />
,cfrv
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