Court Lifts Injunction, Clearing Way for Izmir Bus Terminal Eviction

A court has lifted a preliminary injunction, paving the way for the eviction and transfer of operations at the Izmir Bus Terminal. The İzmir 23rd Civil Court of First Instance removed the injunction, which had previously halted eviction proceedings following an appeal to the Supreme Court. This legal decision concludes the process in favor of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

Following the eviction, the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will assume responsibility for the terminal's operations. Immediate renovations are planned to improve the terminal's appearance and functionality, ensuring it meets the standards expected for the city.

The legal dispute originated from a build-operate-transfer contract signed in 1997 and an addendum in 1999 between the municipality and the plaintiff company, İZOTAŞ. The contract stipulated a 25-year operating period, which concluded on December 14, 2023. The plaintiff sought to extend the contract by seven years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initially, a preliminary injunction was issued to halt eviction proceedings. However, after a series of appeals and reviews, including by the Izmir Regional Court of Justice and the Supreme Court, the eviction halt was overturned. The final decision by the İzmir 23rd Civil Court of First Instance on August 4, 2026, officially removed the injunction, allowing the municipality to proceed.