Newly appointed Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman (National Union) has ordered the hiring of an additional 550 security guards to protect bus transportation from terrorist attack. “This cannot be delayed and the hiring must be completed in a short time,” he said.
According to Israeli daily “Yediyot Aharonot”, up to 1000 security guards will ultimately be appointed to protect all public transportation. The security guards will be comprised of solders who fought in combat units.
The yearly cost of supporting and maintaining the added security staff is expected to reach NIS 120 million. Lieberman said that an agreement to provide funding for the guards will be reached at the beginning of next week between the Treasury, the Transportation Ministry, and the public transport companies.
Some of the newly hired guards will serve on special mobile security vehicles, travelling along bus routes and eyeing bus stops, significantly increasing the scope of security protection.
Arik Feldman, head of Egged, Israel’s largest public transportation provider, said that the hiring of needed security personel has so far been delayed due to a lack of government funding.
According to Israeli daily “Yediyot Aharonot”, up to 1000 security guards will ultimately be appointed to protect all public transportation. The security guards will be comprised of solders who fought in combat units.
The yearly cost of supporting and maintaining the added security staff is expected to reach NIS 120 million. Lieberman said that an agreement to provide funding for the guards will be reached at the beginning of next week between the Treasury, the Transportation Ministry, and the public transport companies.
Some of the newly hired guards will serve on special mobile security vehicles, travelling along bus routes and eyeing bus stops, significantly increasing the scope of security protection.
Arik Feldman, head of Egged, Israel’s largest public transportation provider, said that the hiring of needed security personel has so far been delayed due to a lack of government funding.