The Yerushalayim Municipality and the Ministry of Transportation announced yesterday that starting on Sunday, May 30, entrance to the Old City of Yerushalayim via Shaar Yaffo will be prohibited during the day to private cars.
Between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm, private cars not belonging to residents of the Old City or to disabled or handicapped visitors will not be permitted entrance. Between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., all cars will be able to travel freely in and out of the ancient walled capital. A new phone number, *2180, will be available to issue special entrance permits to suppliers and service providers.
The new changes are part of a new “park and ride” initiative for the Old City. Visitors will now be required to use discounted parking lots with access to bus #38, which will take them to the Old City. Mayor of Yerushalayim Nir Barkat praised the measure as a way of preserving the character of ancient Yerushalayim . “This is the most important historical site in the world,” said Mayor Barkat. “We must preserve and protect the Old City in order that it stay beautiful, clean and accessible to everyone. I am glad the Yerushalayim Municipality was able to formulate better solutions for public access and of course full access for Old City residents. This is how it works in all the world’s historic cities.”
Read more at Arutz Shevah.
{Arutz Shevah/Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
