The first five buses equipped with a special system claiming the ability to thwart suicide bombings were delivered to the Egged bus company Monday in a special ceremony at the Egged depot just outside the Old City in Jerusalem.
The systems installed on the buses have the ability to detect explosives and are supposed to block terrorists from boarding the bus. The ceremony had been scheduled for Sunday, but was postponed because of the terrorist bombing of the 14a bus in Jerusalem.
The buses have metal and explosive detectors installed at the entrances. Sensors examine each person entering the bus, and an intercom enables the driver to question suspicious passengers as they enter. Only after the driver decides a person is not a threat and presses a button, opening the turnstile, can the passenger enter. The rear door has a one-way exit, and sections of the bus are armored to prevent casualties among passengers from a bomb activated alongside the bus by a bomber who is denied entry.
Israel Military Industries built the five buses for the tentative pilot project at the request of Transport Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Two of the buses will operate on Jerusalem's number 14 bus line and the other three will run in Tel Aviv on Dan’s number 5 and 36 lines. The first of the new buses began operating Monday afternoon in Jerusalem.
The trial period for the new buses is expected to last twelve months. "We have to see how this works, how the public takes to this and whether this is applicable," IMI chairman Arie Mizrahi said, "and then to take it to mass production."
"This security system will help us to impede the wave of terror attacks against the State of Israel,” said Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the small dedication ceremony, adding “it is clear to us all that no solution affords 100% security.” Lieberman mentioned additional steps being explored, such as bomb-sniffing dogs to patrol bus stations.
The systems installed on the buses have the ability to detect explosives and are supposed to block terrorists from boarding the bus. The ceremony had been scheduled for Sunday, but was postponed because of the terrorist bombing of the 14a bus in Jerusalem.
The buses have metal and explosive detectors installed at the entrances. Sensors examine each person entering the bus, and an intercom enables the driver to question suspicious passengers as they enter. Only after the driver decides a person is not a threat and presses a button, opening the turnstile, can the passenger enter. The rear door has a one-way exit, and sections of the bus are armored to prevent casualties among passengers from a bomb activated alongside the bus by a bomber who is denied entry.
Israel Military Industries built the five buses for the tentative pilot project at the request of Transport Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Two of the buses will operate on Jerusalem's number 14 bus line and the other three will run in Tel Aviv on Dan’s number 5 and 36 lines. The first of the new buses began operating Monday afternoon in Jerusalem.
The trial period for the new buses is expected to last twelve months. "We have to see how this works, how the public takes to this and whether this is applicable," IMI chairman Arie Mizrahi said, "and then to take it to mass production."
"This security system will help us to impede the wave of terror attacks against the State of Israel,” said Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the small dedication ceremony, adding “it is clear to us all that no solution affords 100% security.” Lieberman mentioned additional steps being explored, such as bomb-sniffing dogs to patrol bus stations.