Ramat Beit Shemesh

Phuket

Public transportation in RBS is so efficient that you can even get around without a car. I should know, because I don't own one. In America I didn't go one block without my car but here it's much easier. For starters, in RBSA itself most places are close enough to go by foot. And the scenery is breathtaking here so it's actually quite pleasurable to walk. Of course there's also the health advantage to walking.

For those of you who don't like to get too much exercise there are moniot (taxis) which cost 13-15 shekel within RBSA and RBSB. That is about .50 depending on the exchange rate which is not very good these days. Many times you can flag one down on the street or you can order one to your door at no extra charge in RBS. Generally they show up within 5 minutes.

In RBS there are many 3 local bus routes which service RBSA, RBSB and Beit Shemesh. The routes run about every 15-30 minutes throughout the day and evening. All of the buses are new. Most kids travel to and from school on these bus routes. You would be amazed at how young some of these kids are and they travel on public transportation.

Superbus, which provides the local routes also has inter city routes which travel to and from Yerushalaim Central Station, Tel Aviv Central Station, Modiin/Kiryat Sefer, and Telzstone.

It's about a 45 minute ride by car to most of these locations but by bus, with all of the local stops, it takes 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

Egged buses service the RBS - Yerushalayim route. They have buses about every 20 minutes throughout the day and evening. Most of them are very comfortable and air conditioned. And if you live in RBSA at the beginning of the route you can easily get a seat. You can get to Bnei Brak and Ashdod as well via Egged buses. It's amazing that a little over 12 years ago RBS did not even exist.