Holiday and mid-term break coincide, bus occupancy reaches 90 percent

Turkey Bus Operators Federation (TOFED) Chairman Birol Özcan announced that there is high demand for intercity bus services due to the Ramadan Feast and the school mid-term break falling during the same period.

Özcan reported that the occupancy rate on main routes has reached the 90 percent level.

Özcan recalled that in previous years, main routes at the Grand Istanbul Bus Terminal would fill up quickly during holiday periods, necessitating the introduction of additional services. Stating that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has authorized additional services until March 29, Özcan expressed that they also expect high demand for these extra trips due to the overlap of the holiday and the 10-day school mid-term break.

RECENT DECLINE IN NUMBER OF TRIPS

Expressing that there has been a recent decrease in bus movements at the terminal, Özcan said, "For the last 2.5 months, the number of daily buses at the Istanbul Esenler Bus Terminal has dropped to around 700. Previously, this number was around 1,500-1,800. In earlier periods, it was over 2,000."

Stating that they expect activity to increase during the holiday period, Özcan noted that this intensity will be reflected in both passenger numbers and the number of trips.

NUMBER OF TRIPS EXPECTED TO INCREASE DURING THE HOLIDAY

Stating that bus traffic will increase significantly during the holiday period, Özcan said, "We expect the number of daily bus trips during the holiday to be 1,200-1,300, or even 1,400. Occupancy rates on main routes in Istanbul increased before the holiday. Due to the holiday and the mid-term break, the occupancy rate of main routes has reached the 90 percent level. We expect the holiday and mid-term break period to bring vitality to the sector."

Özcan also called on citizens planning holiday travel to prefer only buses departing from bus terminals.

ONLINE TICKET SALES COMMISSIONS STRAIN THE SECTOR

Expressing that the commissions charged by online ticket sales platforms have become a significant problem in the sector, Özcan said these platforms take commissions between 12 and 15 percent. Stating that approximately 130 liras are deducted from a 1,000-lira ticket, Özcan said this seriously reduces the companies' revenues.

Stating that they are working to establish an alternative system in the sector, Özcan expressed that reducing commission rates to the 5 percent level would provide significant relief for companies.

COSTS AND BRIDGE TOLLS ON THE AGENDA

Özcan also stated that the rise in fuel prices is straining bus operators. Saying that the use of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge by buses in Istanbul creates a significant cost, Özcan stated that they are requesting permission to use the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge during nighttime hours.

Furthermore, expressing that the practice of free shuttle services from bus terminals to districts also creates costs for companies, Özcan stated that services carried out with low passenger numbers increase expenses. He added that they expect the practice to be abolished by a decision to be taken by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Coordination Center.