Bus tickets sold out in Istanbul ahead of the holiday, additional services added

Turkish Bus Operators Federation Chairman Birol Özcan, stated in his remarks that the number of intercity passengers and bus services remains lower than the period before the coronavirus pandemic.

Noting that the daily number of bus services dropped to 700 during the pandemic, Özcan said, "After the pandemic, this number rose to 1,300. In 2023, 440 thousand buses departed from the Istanbul Bus Terminal."

Expressing that activity in intercity passenger transport has begun with the approach of Eid al-Adha, Özcan said, "Tickets for our main lines, that is, for intercity bus companies, are sold out for Eid al-Adha. With our ministry's circular, additional services have been permitted between June 12 and June 25. We have started selling tickets for these additional services."

Emphasizing that there was not this much density during the last Eid al-Fitr, Özcan noted the following:

"There is more density this holiday. Because it is the summer season and schools are also on break. This situation has increased the density. Before COVID, 2,400 to 2,500 buses were departing from the terminal during the holiday; now, 1,700 to 1,800 buses are departing.

Hopefully, it will reach 2,000 during Eid al-Adha. When it reaches this number of services, the bus industry will be relieved, and the sector will be profitable. We are pleased that the holiday is 9 days long. Those leaving for the holiday are also buying their return tickets. However, those who will stay where they are going during the summer season are not buying return tickets. There are no seats available on June 12, 13, 14, and 25. We will definitely not leave passengers stranded in Istanbul during the holiday."

NO PRICE HIKES ON TICKETS

Explaining that citizens think there has been a price hike on tickets during the holiday, but that no such situation exists, Özcan said, "For example, the ticket price between Istanbul and Ankara is 1,000 liras. According to the regulation provided to us by the ministry, a 1,000-lira ticket can be reduced by 30 percent, meaning it can be lowered to 700 liras. If the ceiling price is 1,000 liras, companies cannot issue a 1,050-lira ticket.

Those who issue tickets for 700 liras in the winter think there is a price hike when they issue tickets for up to 1,000 liras in the summer. Actually, we are not raising prices."

Özcan stated that citizens should purchase their tickets from companies at the bus terminal and that illegal transport harms the sector.

Pointing out that some scammers are selling tickets by opening websites, Özcan warned, "Citizens must absolutely purchase their tickets from the bus terminal and agencies to avoid being victimized."

Bus company official Alaattin Çendek also pointed out that the bus occupancy rate is 100 percent, saying, "We have started adding extra services. We are pleased with the density. Compared to the last holiday, the density is higher this Eid al-Adha."