Istanbul Taxi Drivers Chamber President Eyüp Aksu demands 100% hike in taxi fares: 'Let us be different from public transport'

Eyüp Aksu, Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Taxi Drivers, made notable remarks.

Stating that taxi license plates remain cheap, Aksu said the following:

"IT SHOULD BE 20 MILLION LIRAS"

"In Istanbul, taxi license plates are sold for around 6-6.5 million liras. Rents vary between 25-27 thousand liras. If owners want to operate a commercial taxi, they also need to buy a car to attach the plate to. With the paint, taximeter, roof light, and administrative procedures, the price of the car exceeds 1 million liras, and they hit the road to earn money.

Due to perception operations, there has been a decline in taxi license plate prices. High interest rates and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's constant moves to supply 5 thousand new plates are driving down plate prices. We bought these plates from the municipality by entering tenders. If we compare them to instruments like real estate, land, or the dollar at that time, they should be 20 million liras. Everything has increased by 100-200 percent; the taxi plate is not at its true value."

DEMAND FOR 100 PERCENT HIKE IN TAXIMETER

Touching upon the fact that taxi plate rents are low, Aksu stated, "Rents are very low, and our fares have become equal to public transport. 3-4 people join together and travel by taxi; if they took public transport, they would pay more. Plate rents are around 25 thousand liras and are quite low."

Aksu said, "We want taximeter fare tariffs to increase by at least 100 percent. This way, we can be different from public transport and close the gap between us."