Public transport in Istanbul to be free for 10 hours on the day schools open

Public transport in Istanbul will provide free service during specific hours on Monday, September 14, the day the 2026-2027 academic year begins. According to the decision taken at the August meeting of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME), the practice will be valid between 06:00 and 16:00.

The free transport decision will cover public transport vehicles included in the ticket integration system. The meeting was held at the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) in Eyüpsultan, chaired by Deputy Secretary General of the IMM Pelin Alpkökin.

During the meeting, measures to be implemented across the city during the first days of school were also discussed. A joint action plan prepared by the Provincial Directorate of National Education, the Provincial Police Department, the Provincial Gendarmerie Command, and the Provincial Health Directorate, in addition to the IMM, was evaluated.

Within the scope of the plan, 1,496 teams and 3,151 personnel will be on duty at 808 points across Istanbul. Inspections of school buses will be increased; 30 On-Site Solution Vehicles and 60 personnel will be in the field on school routes.

Tow trucks will be kept ready at points where traffic congestion may occur. 33 tow trucks will be assigned to respond to accidents involving property damage. Representatives from the IMM and relevant institutions will keep watch at AKOM and the Transportation Management Center for 3 days, monitoring traffic flow via city cameras.

No construction work will be carried out at sites during the week schools open; it is also aimed to complete existing work before the start of the academic year. Additionally, children's voices will be used at 64 traffic lights around schools to increase children's traffic awareness.

News Source: 12punto