UKOME rejects 120-minute free transfer application in public transport!

The proposal, which envisioned that transfers made within 120 minutes after the first boarding in integrated public transport consisting of ESHOT, İZULAŞ, İzmir Metro and Tramvay A.Ş., İZDENİZ, İZTAŞIT, and İZBAN operations would be free of charge, was rejected by a majority vote at the extraordinary meeting of the Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME) General Assembly.  

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION REPRESENTATIVES VOTED AGAINST

Following the unanimous approval by the UKOME Technical Committee last week, the proposal was added to the agenda of the extraordinary general assembly, where it received approval from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality representatives. However, the proposal was not accepted due to the negative votes of the representatives of institutions representing the central administration. The members who voted against the proposal added a dissenting opinion requesting that the proposal be discussed once again in the technical committee. 

MAYOR TUNÇ SOYER HAD ANNOUNCED IT

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer had announced the idea of a 120-minute free transfer system on February 17, during a ceremony held at Alsancak Gündoğdu Square where 23 more buses were added to the ESHOT fleet. Soyer had said, "We have initiated the necessary work for a 120-minute free transfer system in public transport, not 90 minutes. Residents of İzmir will now be able to travel for free for 120 minutes with a single boarding fee. The decision will be implemented in March after it is accepted by UKOME." 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, under the instruction of Mayor Tunç Soyer, will bring the proposal back to the UKOME Technical Committee.