Bus station overcrowding during holiday season – Milliyet News
High Demand for Bus Tickets Causes Challenges for Holiday Travelers in Istanbul
As the 9-day holiday in Istanbul approaches, travelers seeking to spend their vacation outside the city are encountering difficulties at the July 15 Democracy Bus Terminal in Bayrampaşa. With the surge in demand, some citizens have struggled to find bus tickets, while bus company officials have cited increasing costs as the reason for their inability to add additional trips.
Mustafa Yıldırım, the President of the All Bus Drivers Federation (TOF), acknowledged the rising costs and explained the situation further. He emphasized that this surge in demand is not only due to the upcoming Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) but also because universities and schools are closed for summer vacation, coinciding with the holiday period. Yıldırım highlighted the continuous increase in passenger numbers, revealing that the daily number of vehicles leaving the Istanbul Bus Terminal has risen from 1000-1100 to 1750. This represents an increase in flights of approximately 70-75 percent. However, despite the availability of buses to meet the demand, the high costs have made it difficult for companies to provide additional trips. Yıldırım explained that recent fuel price hikes and the necessity for companies to maintain constant prices for four months, regardless of inflation in other areas such as highways and bridges, have created financial challenges. Consequently, bus companies are reluctant to offer round-trip flights as they are financially unsustainable.
The shortage of available buses has also affected tourism companies. Şabettin Laçin, a tourism company official, stated that due to the pandemic and subsequent economic challenges, people have been unable to enjoy a proper holiday for the past two years. The closure of schools has brought hope for a successful vacation; however, the high costs of diesel and other expenses have made it difficult to find buses for expedition. Laçin highlighted the considerable financial burden faced by tourism companies, explaining that a trip from Hatay to Adana would cost an additional 700 liras due to the expensive fuel and costs associated with transportation.
Despite the challenges, some travelers have managed to secure their tickets in advance. Hakan Kırdar, who plans to spend the holiday on Gökçeada, shared his experience of purchasing tickets early to avoid any difficulties. However, he acknowledged the overcrowding at the bus station, with many individuals eager to escape somewhere during the 9-day holiday period. Kırdar emphasized the importance of taking a break and enjoying the holiday, even if the prices are slightly higher than in previous years.
Overall, the high demand for bus tickets during this holiday season has created obstacles for travelers seeking to leave Istanbul. The increasing costs faced by bus companies, combined with the limited availability of buses, have resulted in challenges for both passengers and tourism companies. Despite the difficulties, individuals remain determined to enjoy their well-deserved holiday.
