Public transport in Istanbul has come to a halt! Private public buses have stopped operations

In a statement made by the Istanbul Bus Private Public Bus Owners and Operators Tradesmen Chamber, it was noted that despite the contract signed with the IBB, irregular and delayed payments have been continuing for approximately 4 years, and it was announced that 3,020 private public buses would stop service. While private public buses stopped service in Istanbul today, congestion began to form at some bus stops in the early hours of the morning.

CONGESTION AT BUS STOPS

Those waiting for buses at the Esenler Kazım Karabekir stop in the direction of Aksaray waited for a long time after private public buses stopped service and IETT buses arrived full. Those who lost hope of boarding buses used taxis.

CITIZENS TURNED TO TAXIS AND SUBWAYS

In Uzunçayır, citizens who were late for work turned to subways and Metrobus lines. Long queues formed at the stops. Kamil Yurtseven, who was waiting at the stop, said, "The public buses went on strike. Because of this, the bus is not coming. I go to Maltepe Fındıklı from here every day. I came from the other side by Metrobus. I'm waiting, it didn't come. Only IETT buses are coming. I will have to go to Bostancı by subway. I left home at 06:10. I would normally be at work by this time."

STATEMENT FROM IETT

Following the decision by private public buses to stop service, a statement was issued by the IETT General Directorate.

The statement is as follows:

"The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) and its subsidiary IETT operate the largest public transport fleet in Turkey and the second largest in the world. In Istanbul, a total of 64,000 trips are made daily by IETT with 6,786 vehicles—3,766 of which are in IETT's own fleet and 3,020 in the Private Public Bus fleet—covering 1 million 400 thousand km and carrying out approximately 5 million journeys.

In December 2020, the 'Private Transport Operating System' (ÖTİS) was launched for Private Public Buses by the decision of the Istanbul Metropolitan Council.

With this system, all operating costs of the Private Public Buses began to be covered by the IBB, the technological infrastructure of all Private Public Buses was renewed by the IBB and IETT, a guaranteed income model per trip and kilometer rather than per passenger began to be applied, and support payments for vehicle renewals began to be made.

In the period between December 2020, when the system was launched, and April 2025, while the travel revenue obtained from Private Public Buses was 15.8 billion TL, the total payment made by the IBB during this period reached 35.3 billion TL. Thus, an additional support of 19.5 billion TL in total has been provided by the IBB for Private Public Buses. In 2024 alone, 1 billion 300 million TL in support payments were made for vehicle renewals. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and IETT continue their work in harmony and cooperation with all their stakeholders.

"MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN"

The progress payments for Private Public Buses are also paid by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. In this direction, payments for Private Public Buses have been rescheduled starting from June 1, 2025, and plans have been made regarding the creation of all alternative measures, including changing the current system.

Despite all these improvements and support provided by the IBB and IETT and the payment plan offered, a series of measures such as necessary additional trips and route planning have been taken by the IBB and IETT to ensure that Istanbul residents are minimally affected by the potential action announced by the Private Public Buses. We remind Istanbul residents to act according to the current situation when making their transportation plans for Thursday, May 22, and we respectfully announce to the public that all information regarding developments will be provided regularly and instantly through the official communication channels of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and IETT."