Transportation strike begins in Bursa: 1,500 public buses on ring routes

Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey announced on social media at 04:40 that an agreement could not be reached with BURULAŞ during the meeting held overnight. Bozbey stated that, following this situation, approximately 1,500 private public buses would begin operating on ring routes starting from the morning hours to ensure that citizens of Bursa are not victimized.

Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey expressed that they had done everything in their power to prevent problems regarding transportation and that they were unable to convince the union, stating, "We offered a wage within the limits of our budget, and even higher than the monthly rates provided by Ankara and Konya, yet we still could not convince the union. Unfortunately, due to the union's stance, a strike became inevitable. We immediately began operations with our colleagues. Believing that transportation is your right, no one can prevent our citizens from traveling from one place to another. In this sense, I wholeheartedly thank our colleagues who will not participate in the strike and who we have asked to return to their duties. They will transport our citizens from one place to another in a healthy manner. Around 1,500 public buses are also on duty at the same time. We have other solutions as well. We never wanted this strike. It is never possible for us to want it. We stand by our workers. We did our best to improve their living standards. Despite extraordinary conditions, we did what was necessary, but we could not convince the union. This strike will be completed in a short time. Our fellow citizens in Bursa will breathe a sigh of relief."

"THE UNION MAY BE THINKING OF OTHER THINGS"

Bozbey noted the following:

"Our wish is for the strike to end as soon as possible. We are making efforts for this. Unfortunately, the union may be thinking of other things. However, I leave the judgment of that to our employees and the people of Bursa. The wages offered, effective from January 1, 2025, are: 73,886 TL net for our train drivers, 79,576 TL net for our maintenance foremen, 62,300 TL net for our drivers, and 50,508 TL net for our cleaning staff. The wages offered, effective from July 1, 2025, are: 84,237 TL net for our train drivers, 90,951 TL net for our maintenance foremen, 69,585 TL net for our drivers, and 56,637 TL net for our cleaning staff. In the coming days, we will mobilize all our resources to ensure that daily life is not disrupted. Furthermore, our Private Public Buses will continue to operate. We will continue to defend the rights and laws of our Bursa under all conditions and against everyone."

While metro services were operated by trainee drivers at some points, approximately 1,500 private public buses ran on ring routes. Citizens who wanted to take their children to school in their own vehicles or who did not prefer public transportation while going to work in the morning hours also caused traffic congestion.

It was reported that Mayor Mustafa Bozbey will hold a press conference at AKOM at 10:30.