Court of Accounts deems IMM's free public transport decision a public loss: They demanded 520 thousand liras per person

The IMM provides free transportation on national and religious holidays, on October 6, the Liberation of Istanbul, on May 29, the anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul, on days when university entrance exams are held, and on the days when schools open.

The Court of Accounts, however, stated that free transportation can only be provided for citizens over the age of 65 and that only students can travel at a discounted rate, arguing that any other decisions for free or discounted passenger transport are contrary to the law. 

THEY DEMANDED A PAYMENT OF 520 THOUSAND LIRAS PER PERSON

According to the report by İsmail Arı from BirGün; the Court of Accounts, which argued that a public loss of approximately 161 million TL was incurred, decided that this loss should be collected from IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, municipal administrators, and the IMM Council members who made the decisions for free transportation. While all council members at the IMM are objecting to the Court of Accounts' decision, if the decision becomes final, 312 council members will each have to pay approximately 520 thousand TL. 

THEY HAD ALSO FOUND THE 'MOTHER CARD' CONTRARY TO REGULATIONS

On the other hand, the Court of Accounts had previously found the 'Mother Card', which allows mothers with children aged 0-4 residing in Istanbul to benefit from public transportation for free, to be contrary to regulations. Stating that this decision was not in accordance with the law, the Court of Accounts included the following statement in its audit report: "Regardless of the purpose, the authority to determine the application of free or discounted tariffs in service provision belongs to the President in accordance with Law No. 4736."