Istanbul starts the day with a taxi fare hike

At the UKOME meeting held on Monday, a 18 percent increase was approved for public transportation, and a 28.09 percent increase was approved for taxis, minibuses, and school shuttles.

Taximeter tariff adjustments for commercial taxis in Istanbul began as of midnight.

According to the report by Burak Taşçı from Hürriyet, taximeter calibration fees ranged between 2,800 liras and 3,200 liras. Following the new taximeter tariff, increases are expected in the half-day and full-day wages of drivers. It is expected that half-day wages, which were 1,000 liras, will rise to around 1,250 liras, and full-day wages will average around 2,500 liras.

WHAT ARE THE NEW TARIFFS?

For yellow taxis, the opening fee is 24.55 liras, the per-kilometer rate is 17.62 liras, and the short-distance (indi-bindi) fee is 90 liras. For turquoise taxis, the opening fee is 28.24 liras, the per-kilometer rate is 20.25 liras, and the short-distance fee is 102.5 liras. For VIP taxis, the opening fee is 41.74 liras, the per-kilometer rate is 32.5 liras, and the short-distance fee is 153.7 liras. For 8+1 taxis, the opening fee is 31.92 liras, the per-kilometer rate is 22.90 liras, and the short-distance fee is 115.3 liras. The tariffs for 8+1 taxis have been equalized with those of yellow taxis.

Owners of 8+1 taxis, whose tariffs have been equalized with yellow taxis, stated that their expenses are not the same, their vehicles are larger, their maintenance costs are higher, and their fuel consumption is greater. They announced on social media platforms that having the same tariff as 4+1 taxis would victimize them, and that some vehicles might not comply with the regulation and continue to operate under the old tariff.

In the past, taxi plate prices would increase alongside taximeter hikes, but today, plate prices remain stable. Plates are being offered for sale between 6.7 million liras and 7 million liras. Rents are at the level of 24,000-27,000 liras. Instead of buying a plate and a vehicle and dealing with expenses, if the money were deposited in a savings account, the monthly return would be around 320,000 liras. Dealers claim that the price of a plate will reach 10 million liras in 2024.

News Source: 12punto