The school bell rings next week... School bus fees announced for 3 major cities

School bus fees for the 2024-2025 academic year, which will begin on September 9 in Turkey, have been announced. Following Istanbul and Ankara, the price hike in Izmir has been declared, finalizing school bus fees for the three major metropolitan cities. Compared to last year, school bus fees have been increased by 16 percent in Istanbul, 40 percent in Ankara, and 20 percent in Izmir.

Günhar Sınar, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Service Vehicle Operators, recalled that the Metropolitan Municipality's Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME) has determined the new price tariff for student shuttle services. Stating that they had requested a 40 percent increase due to the costs of spare parts, tires, motor insurance, insurance, repairs, and fuel, Sınar noted that the rate of increase was set at 16 percent by UKOME.

Sınar stated that for the 2024-2025 academic year, school bus fees have increased from 14 thousand 486 liras to 17 thousand 379 liras for the 0-1 kilometer range, and from 15 thousand 512 liras to 18 thousand 612 liras for the 1-3 kilometer range,

from 16 thousand 756 liras to 20 thousand 106 liras for the 3-5 kilometer range, from 17 thousand 470 liras to 20 thousand 961 liras for the 5-7 kilometer range, from 18 thousand 418 liras to 22 thousand 104 liras for the 7-9 kilometer range, and from 21 thousand 332 liras to 25 thousand 596 liras for the 9-11 kilometer range,

It reported that the fee for 11-13 kilometers, which was 24 thousand 551 liras, increased to 29 thousand 466 liras; the fee for 13-15 kilometers, which was 25 thousand 796 liras, increased to 30 thousand 951 liras; and the fee for 15-17 kilometers, which was 27 thousand 840 liras, increased to 33 thousand 408 liras.

It also reported that the fee for 17-19 kilometers, which was 29 thousand 441 liras, increased to 35 thousand 325 liras; the fee for 19-21 kilometers, which was 31 thousand 689 liras, increased to 37 thousand 593 liras; the fee for 21-23 kilometers, which was 32 thousand 625 liras, increased to 39 thousand 150 liras; and the fee for 23-25 kilometers, which was 33 thousand 895 liras, increased to 40 thousand 671 liras.

Pointing out that the guide personnel fee is 35 percent of the tariff fee, Sınar noted that a fee of 39.5 liras will be charged for every kilometer exceeding 25 kilometers.

Drawing attention to the fact that their biggest problem regarding school buses is "illegal services," Sınar said the following:

"School and personnel transportation in Istanbul can only be carried out with restricted service license plates with the combination of 34 LAA 001 and 34 LZZ 999. Vehicles outside of this are illegal services. Our parents who prefer illegal services for lower fees cannot find anyone to address when they experience problems regarding the safety of their children.

For this reason, we want our parents to pay attention to this. Furthermore, it is very important for both the service providers who pay their taxes and the safety of our children that law enforcement agencies increase their inspections regarding illegal services."

Ankara Chamber of School Bus Operators President İlyas Aktürk stated that the fees in question in the capital are determined by the Chamber and come into effect after being approved by the Ankara Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (ANKESOB).

Stating that there is an average increase of 40 percent in school bus fees for the 2024-2025 academic year in the capital, Aktürk reported that the bus fee for 0-3 kilometers, which was 11 thousand 930 liras last year, has risen to 16 thousand 745 liras; the 3-6 kilometer fee, which was 13 thousand 180 liras, has risen to 18 thousand 450 liras; the 6-10 kilometer fee, which was 15 thousand 230 liras, has risen to 21 thousand 320 liras; and the 10-15 kilometer fee, which was 17 thousand 720 liras, has risen to 24 thousand 810 liras.

Aktürk stated that the upper limit for the guide service fee in school buses will be 730 liras, and noted that the fee to be charged for every kilometer exceeding 15 kilometers will be 550 liras.

Erdem Mert, President of the İzmir School Bus Operators Chamber, also said that a 20 percent increase in school bus fees for the new academic year in İzmir has been approved by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME).

Accordingly, the fee for 0-3 kilometers was increased from 13 thousand 770 liras to 16 thousand 560 liras, the fee for 0-6 kilometers from 16 thousand 875 liras to 20 thousand 250 liras, the fee for 0-10 kilometers from 18 thousand 45 liras to 21 thousand 690 liras, and the fee for 0-15 kilometers from 21 thousand 375 liras to 25 thousand 650 liras.

The fee for 0-20 kilometers was increased from 25 thousand 650 liras to 30 thousand 780 liras, the fee for 0-25 kilometers from 28 thousand 530 liras to 34 thousand 245 liras, the fee for 0-30 kilometers from 31 thousand 410 liras to 37 thousand 710 liras, the fee for 0-35 kilometers from 32 thousand 895 liras to 39 thousand 510 liras, and the fee for 0-40 kilometers from 34 thousand 920 liras to 41 thousand 940 liras.

A 30 percent fee will also be charged on the determined price for guide services on school buses.