Istanbul Municipality’s proposal to hike transportation fees rejected

Duvar English

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s proposal for a 50 percent increase in public transportation fares and a 40 percent increase in shuttle fares was rejected by a majority of votes in the municipality's Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME) on March 23.

Drivers of private public buses, mini buses and shuttles in Istanbul had requested a 50-60% increase, saying that they wouldn’t otherwise continue to work.

At UKOME's meeting in December 2021, public transportation fees were increased by 36 percent and service fees by 27 percent, which has been effective starting from the new year.

Istanbul Municipality spokesperson Murat Ongun attributed the rejection of the proposal to the government's effort to "destroy the municipality,” which is run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). 

“There was an unprecedented hike in fuel prices. The passenger fee in public transportation has become unable to meet even fuel oil. UKOMEs in all metropolitan cities of Turkey decided to price hikes. In Istanbul, it was blocked,” Ongun on March 23 tweeted. 

Ongun also criticized Serdar Yücel, the representative of the Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry at UKOME. "All the demands of Istanbul residents, including 5,000 new taxi offers, are rejected at UKOME by the instruction of Serdar Yücel. The aim is to make the municipality inoperable/sink,” Ongun said.

On the other hand, the Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry issued a written statement regarding the rejection of the municipality's request. "The offer for the raise was found to be high and rejected," the ministry said.