Taxi drivers attack Istanbul’s Transportation Coordination Center with stones

Duvar English

Istanbul’s taxi drivers reacting to the 28.09 percent increase in taxi fares at the meeting of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Coordination Centre (UKOME) on Jan. 8 attacked the UKOME building with stones.

According to the decision taken by the municipal and government representatives, the opening fee of taxis increased by 28.09 percent from 19.17 Turkish liras to 24.55liras, the fee per kilometer from 12.89 liras to 17.61 liras, and the short distance fee from 70 liras to 90 liras.

During the meeting of UKOME, a group of taxi drivers gathered in front of the building arguing that they were victimized by the transformation of minibusses working on different lines in Istanbul into large-capacity taxis. They also reacted to the hike decision and the exclusion of the regulations related to them as an agenda item in the meeting.

During the brawl, taxi drivers broke the iron railings set up for security purposes and threw eggs and plastic bottles at the building. The participants also broke the windows and glass railings of the facility with iron bars.

Riot police intervened with the taxi drivers who tried to enter the building. Many taxi drivers were detained after the attack. Three people who were slightly injured in the crowd were treated in an ambulance.