LU: my nationality is Israeli, and I was talking about the way yeshivish people in Israel date, and yes it’s the norm as long as it’s in the same city. Why are you so surprised by that?
Usually they say the reason for this is so the girl will have some privacy and won’t be seen by everybody getting back from a date (if you live in a chareidi neibghourhood you’ll understand) I don’t know if that’s really the reason.
I suppose Americans living in Israel do things differently. Also maybe at a certain age guys do things less by the book, which is probably a blessing (except for the taxi)
I know some girls would prefer getting home by bus (as in real life they would never order a taxi for anything) but they’re too shy to say anything.