Taxi Israeli : Isreal

companies offer both private and less expensive sherut (shared) taxis. Regular private taxi rides are called special (pronounced ’spatial’). All city taxis, operating as special, must have meters (moneh), though the drivers often need to be reminded to turn them on. Any offers of special discount rates (translation: no meter and an exorbitant charge) should be adamantly refused.

Sherut taxis hold up to seven people. Certain taxi companies operate sherut taxis seven days a week from stations or taxi stands in each city. Intercity sherut taxis operate on loose schedules, usually simply waiting until they fill up; on Saturdays, they often whiz along the streets in search of passengers. Intra-city sherut taxis never follow a schedule, but cruise the streets daily. Most routes, intra-city included, have set fares. Check with Israelis or at the nearest tourist office. The price should not be much more than the bus fare for the same route, and always fix the price before starting out. Be particularly insistent about this on Saturdays and late at night when buses don’t run and sherut drivers may try to rip you off.