Transportation: Old Meets New

For a city so old with ties to so many historic empires, Jerusalem is surprisingly modern in many ways. From clothing styles to music, it’s certainly a city straddling the 21st century and the ancient periods. One of these distinctions is Jerusalem’s transportation system. It’s quite a walkable city, and I’m able to walk to class, the grocery store, and the Old City in about 20 minutes. But if you’re not in the mood to stroll in the blazing sun, there’s an alternative option: the Jerusalem light rail. Imagine the above ground part of the MBTA Green Line, but infinitely better. The light rail runs on one single path from one side of the city to the other and provides easy access to some of the major areas of the city, including shopping areas, museums, and historical sites. It’s automatically operated and doesn’t have a driver, so riders have to validate their cards when they board. Since it only runs on one path, the light rail doesn’t have the same far-reaching service as the buses. In that case, the buses can fill in where the light rail lacks service. So far we’ve only taken public transportation as a group, but the experience is quick and easy and much like any other major city.

The old and new dichotomy of transportation is also pretty clear in the city’s taxi service. Honestly, taxi rides are some of my favorite parts of new cities, as drivers are often eager to learn where you’re from or speak the local language with you. This was very much the case in Jerusalem, with an added dynamic because my first taxi driver was the first Arab Palestinian I had interacted with in Israel. He told us his story and exposed us to a new narrative of the formation of the city, and was so open to answering questions. Through a short ride, I gained the knowledge of a new perspective, which broadened my understanding of this region. The taxi drivers here are more than just a means of transportation, but are also a form of storytelling.