Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety is fighting the exclusion of women on public transportation. A fine of 40,000 Shekels ($12,600) and personal compensation of 22,000 shekels ($6,900) to a female passenger, along with additional fines and penalties against the Dan bus company and a bus driver were levied for a serious incident of exclusion of women and discrimination on public transportation.
The incident occurred in January 2023 on bus route 292, which operates between Bnei Brak and Petah Tikva. A 76-year-old female passenger who boarded the bus was asked by a bus driver to move to the back of the bus, claiming that it was a bus operating in a “mehadrin” format, one which requires the separation of men and women for religious reasons. After she refused, offensive and discriminatory statements were made to her, with the driver participating in the incident.
The Tel Aviv District Traffic Magistrate’s Court ruled that this was improper conduct that violates human dignity and constitutes a violation of the obligation to provide equal service on public transportation.
The indictment was filed by the National Prosecution Department of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, as part of a clear policy of zero tolerance towards the exclusion of women and discrimination in public transportation. The ministry works systematically to identify cases of violation of passenger rights, through overt and covert enforcement, and does not hesitate to take legal action against public transportation operators and their employees.