With little time left before Ramadan Bayram, the price hikes in transportation are breaking new records every day. Bus ticket prices, which were 1150 TL the week before the holiday, rose to around 1800 TL. The situation is even more dire for flight tickets. Flight ticket prices have jumped from around 1300 TL to 4800 TL.
According to a report in Türkiye Gazetesi, while it was possible to travel from Istanbul to Trabzon by bus for 1100 liras on March 17, this price rises to 1800 liras on March 29. This means a hike of up to 70 percent within one week.
The situation is much more dire for flight tickets. While a ticket from Istanbul to Adana could be found for 1300 liras on March 17, the ticket price rises to 4869 liras just one week later. The hike here reaches 350 percent.
Citizens are reacting to this situation. Passengers are directing harsh criticism at this opportunism by the companies.
A regional manager of a major bus company operating at the Istanbul Esenler Bus Terminal stated that prices have risen, but that this situation should not be perceived as opportunism.
News Source: 12punto
