Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert is accusing the Transportation Ministry of delaying critical solutions to the city’s worsening traffic crisis, while also warning of an ongoing shortage of educational facilities ahead of the upcoming school year.

In an interview with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai Radio’s flagship news program, Zeibert discussed the city’s readiness for potential security developments and outlined what he described as major transportation and infrastructure challenges facing Bnei Brak.

Addressing security preparedness, Zeibert said the municipality is operating according to established emergency plans and does not currently require any extraordinary measures.

Most of the interview focused on the city’s transportation problems. Zeibert explained that after renovation work on Chazon Ish Street, the municipality agreed to temporarily reroute buses to Aharonovitch Street while a broader transportation plan was developed.

According to the mayor, the current arrangement has created a serious imbalance. “Jabotinsky Street is one long traffic jam, while Chazon Ish Street is practically empty,” he said.

Zeibert argued that the Transportation Ministry has been delaying the return of some bus routes to Chazon Ish Street despite earlier agreements to do so.

He said the existing traffic patterns are causing major hardships for residents and commuters.

“A person can spend an hour and a half just trying to leave the city,” Zeibert stated, adding that dividing bus traffic between Chazon Ish and Aharonovitch Streets would significantly reduce congestion.

“We can decide today that some buses will travel on Chazon Ish and some on Aharonovitch, and that would solve a large part of the problem,” he said.

The mayor also discussed the long-delayed central bus terminal planned for the Coca-Cola Junction area, a project that has been under discussion for approximately 15 years.

According to Zeibert, while parts of the Transportation Ministry support the project, other officials within the ministry continue to file objections that have stalled progress.

“The investor has already put up the money, purchased the land, and everything is standing still,” he said.

Zeibert noted that additional transportation solutions have been proposed, including transit terminals near Geha Junction and along Jabotinsky Street, but said no final decisions have been made.

He also expressed frustration over delays in advancing dedicated public transportation lanes.

“I’ve been waiting five months for a meeting and nobody has met with me,” Zeibert said.

According to the mayor, a new residential neighborhood in northern Bnei Brak is also awaiting transportation infrastructure approvals that have yet to materialize.

Turning to education, Zeibert acknowledged that the city continues to face a shortage of school buildings and classroom space.

He said Bnei Brak currently spends between NIS 30 million and NIS 40 million annually on rental costs for educational facilities.

The mayor noted that Bnei Brak was the first municipality to establish kindergartens in public spaces located beneath residential buildings as part of efforts to address growing demand.

“Buildings are still lacking,” Zeibert admitted.

Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that the city will be ready when the new academic year begins, emphasizing that schools are expected to open on schedule despite the ongoing challenges.

{Matzav.com}