Students protest in Bolu
University students held a protest in Bolu due to a more than 50 percent hike in transportation fares. Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan met with two representatives chosen from among the students. During the meeting, Özcan explained the reason for the price hike to the students.
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Upon the request of the Bolu Chamber of Drivers and Automobile Merchants, a price hike for private public bus tickets was approved during the second session of the Bolu Municipal Council in May. The full ticket price for private public buses increased from 15 liras to 25 liras, while the student ticket price rose from 11 liras to 18 liras, a 63 percent increase. For taxis, the starting fare was set at 40 liras.
The requested price increases for private public buses and taxis used in urban transportation were accepted unanimously.
THEY PROTESTED DESPITE THE RAIN
Reacting to the 63 percent hike in student tickets, students from Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University (BAİBÜ) gathered at the Governor's Square.
The large group of students marched to the front of the Bolu Municipality building. Making a statement on behalf of the group in front of the municipal building, the students demanded that the price hikes be revoked.
Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan met with two student representatives chosen from among the protesters. Stating that the private public buses affiliated with the Bolu Municipality were leased and handed over to private companies in 2014, Mayor Özcan said the following:
“If the buses were ours, we would risk operating at a loss and not implement a price hike, but unfortunately, the public buses were privatized in the past. Let me have you meet with the Chamber of Drivers, the municipal representative, and officials from the private public bus companies so they can explain the justification for the hike to you. If you are still not convinced, I promise to meet with you again and, if necessary, bring the issue back to the Municipal Council.”