Following a meeting of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Transport Coordination Center (UKOME), a 35% price increase for public transport fares was approved. The decision, which was passed with a majority vote, will affect multiple forms of public transport, including the İstanbulkart electronic ticket system, which is used for buses, rail services, the Tünel (Karaköy-Tünel subway funicular), the nostalgic tram, private city buses, and the Halkalı-Bahçeşehir and Sirkeci-Kazlıçeşme rail systems.
Taxi Fare Hike and Other Transportation Changes
Along with public transport, taxi fares also saw an increase:
- The starting price for taxis has been raised from 30 TL to 42 TL,
- The minimum fare is now 135 TL, up from the previous 100 TL.
Additionally, school bus and minibus fares have been adjusted upward.
Effective Date and Previous Increases
The new fare rates will take effect on January 18, 2025. This follows an earlier fare increase in July 2024, where rates were raised by 13-22%, and another hike introduced at the beginning of 2024.
In 2024, nearly 6.95 million people utilized public transportation in Istanbul, underscoring the significant role these services play in the city’s daily commute.