Scherut
A Scherut is a type of shared taxi in Israel that operates on a fixed route.
Word origin
Scherut (שירות) is Hebrew and means service or service in German (ofz. מונית שירות Monit Scherut; about service taxi).
The Scherut system
Scheruts are used for local and long-distance public transport .
Local transport
Scheruts in local transport travel on fixed lines. The Scheruts are clearly marked with a line number. The Scheruts operate the routes around the clock, at night and on the Sabbath, but with fewer vehicles.
Passengers simply wave at the Scherut on the open road, which then stops and allows the passenger to board. Passengers usually do not pay when they board, but only after they have found a place in the Scherut. The fare is simply passed from passenger to passenger to the driver. To get out, the passenger simply asks the driver to stop at the desired location. In Tel Aviv a trip of any length with a shear rod costs 7 NIS (~ 1.40 euros).
Long-distance transport
Long-distance Scheruts travel around the clock, 7 days a week, between several larger cities from fixed departure points. The departure only takes place when the vehicle is fully occupied. If the passengers want an earlier departure, the fare for the missing persons must be divided by the number of passengers and paid in addition to the previously agreed and paid fare.
vehicles
The Scheruts are relatively modern minibuses . In addition to the seat for the driver, there are around ten seats for passengers. Getting in and out is mostly done through the passenger door, which can be opened by the driver using a linkage and a handle. Chevrolets or VW buses with automatically opening sliding doors are also used for Scheruts, which are used for long-distance transport . Mainly, however, the Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicle models with manual opening of the side door are used. Most of the Scheruts are equipped with three-point seat belts for the passengers, but these are almost never used. Each shear channel has a powerful air conditioning system.
Meaning of the Scheruts
The Scheruts are of great importance in Israel and an important part of local and long-distance public transport. Especially at night or on Shabat , the Scheruts are the only travel option for people who do not have a vehicle.
Trivia
The plural Scherutim can be formed from the singular Scherut in Hebrew , which is not translated as taxis but as toilets .
