Transportat Ministry to establish committee on readjusting traffic in capital. Amongst recommendations: Turning site into pedestrian street. 'The movement of vehicles in the Old City disturbs tourists,' says Tourism Ministry director-general
Ynet
The Tourism Ministry on Monday announced a plan to establish a combined committee that will work towards modifying the traffic infrastructure in the Old City of Jerusalem to one that is acceptable in major tourist cities around the world, as part of the efforts being made to improve the tourism there.
The committee will be run by the Transport Ministry, and will consist of members from the Tourism and Finance Ministries and from the Jerusalem Municipality.     
The committee will discuss the option of turning the site into a pedestrian street. Other options include paving safe inlets on which tourists can walk, expanding existing traffic lanes and paving additional lanes to the Old City.  
Transport Ministry Director-General Shaul Zemach noted in a press release that the street and parking systems in the Old City are not prepared to comply with the growing demand, stating that "the movement of private vehicles and public transportation within the Old City cause a great disturbance to tourists and to visitors of tourist sites.   
"Moreover, they significantly hurt the tourist experience. Jerusalem is one of the most important and well-known tourism centers in the world and, as such, is worthy of providing a unique and quality experience."
'A better quality of life'
Zemach said that his office was working with the Jerusalem Municipality to find solutions concerning procedures regarding entrance of vehicles into the Old City and cheapening parking prices.  
He added that "the Transport Ministry is holding joint discussions with various governmental offices, with the purpose of multiplying forces that will ease traffic problems in city centers and that will allow a better quality of life to inhabitants of large cities."
Also mentioned was the decision to jointly develop tourism infrastructures throughout Israel.   
The Transport Ministry spokesperson told Ynet that "in the next few days members of the committee will be chosen. The Tourism Ministry's initiative is in its preliminary stages.  
"The committee will assess alternative solutions available in the Old City and also the public transportation and the inhabitants' transportation. At present, we do not have information regarding the level of the project's implementation and the option of creating a pedestrian street."
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