site.btaIstanbul Public-Transport, Taxi Fares Up by 50%-Plus

Public-transport and taxi fares in Istanbul were hiked by over 50%, effective Tuesday, State-run Turkish TV channel TRT-Haber reported.

The Istanbul Transport Coordination Centre (UKOME) decided to raise public-transport fares by 51.52%.

By a majority vote, the Centre also adopted a proposal on an increase of fares of taxi services, school buses and commuters.

The public-transport electronic fare was raised from TRY 9.90 to TRY 15, the schoolchild electronic fare from TRY 4.83 to TRY 7.32, and the teacher electronic fare from TRY 7.09 to TRY 10.74.

Public transportation card prices were increased, too.

For taxis, the switch-on price was increased from TRY 12.65 to TRY 19.17, and the per-kilometre price was raised from TRY 8.51 to TRY 13.75. Taxi drivers oppose the hikes. Their representatives walked out of the UKOME meeting in protest, TRT-Haber reported.

Other increases affect the Metrobus bus rapid transit system and the Marmaray long intercontinental commuter rail line. 

The public transport fare hikes in Istanbul followed a recent 50% rise of these prices in Ankara.