All Bus Drivers’ Federation (TOF) Chairman and TOBB Road Passenger Transport Sector Assembly President Mustafa Yıldırım reminded that the midterm break in schools will start on Friday, April 14, including the Ramadan Feast.
Stating that they expect travel for the holidays to intensify as of tomorrow, Yıldırım said, “Compared to the past holidays, there is a 40 percent contraction in passenger mobility. On the one hand, economic reasons, on the other hand, the election process is seen as the important reasons for the contraction of this mobility. At the same time, the low fares of airlines and railways. While the share they receive from the sector is increasing day by day due to this reason, the bus transportation market is shrinking day by day with the effect of unregistered pirate transportation activities caused by the inadequacy of inspections and sanctions.
Pointing out that while the number of daily flights was around 22 thousand on normal days in the past years, it has decreased to 14 thousand in the recent period, Yıldırım said:
“There is a movement at the beginning of this holiday. Most of the companies can make additional trips. Despite the decrease in the number of trips, the Ministry has made the necessary arrangements for our companies that want to make additional trips so that they do not experience victimization, as in every holiday.”
“We expect a movement of 5-6 million people during the holiday”
Stating that they expected a movement of 5-6 million people during the 10-day holiday holidays in the past, Yıldırım said, “There is a balance in travels, student movements, holidays and those who will go to their hometown. There is no big movement during the holidays.”
Pointing out that there is no new increase in ticket prices, Yıldırım said that 30 percent discounts applied during the winter months can be applied during the holiday.
Pointing out that ticket prices may be increased in summer depending on oil prices, Yıldırım advised citizens planning to travel at that time to consider this as well. Yıldırım also warned about pirate tickets and stated that citizens should not travel without a ticket.
Yıldırım also stated that vehicles departing from outside the bus stations should not be respected, and said:
“We request that this and similar situations be reported to the Call Center of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure at 444 27 07 and to the security forces. On the other hand, we recommend using public transport instead of private vehicles as much as possible during the holiday in order to reduce the risk of accidents.”
Yıldırım added that it is important to buy round-trip tickets in order to avoid any problems on the way back from the holiday.
