Gender segregation on Israeli public buses may continue as long as passengers agree, the country’s Supreme Court ruled.
The practice will still be allowed on dozens of bus lines serving the haredi community, known as Mehadrin lines, as long as passengers are not coerced and no violence erupts, according to the ruling issued Jan. 6.
The finding adopted recommendations made last year by a Transportation Ministry committee which found that the Mehadrin lines should be allowed to run as is — as long as the segregation was voluntary and women were not forced to sit in the back of the bus, Ha’aretz reported.
Judges ordered the Egged bus company to institute the new rules during a 30-day trial period. The company also must establish complaint centers for women passengers, according to the ruling. — jta