Istanbul Transport Authority to Auction Thousands of Lost Items

Thousands of forgotten items left on Istanbul's buses, metrobuses, and trams are set to be auctioned off by the city's public transport authority, İETT. The sale will feature 7,566 unclaimed items whose owners could not be located and which have passed their legal holding period.

The auction is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, at the Karaköy Gar Building, running from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. İETT has categorized the items, with electronics and electrical goods slated for public auction after technical assessments. Items deemed suitable for social aid, such as unused clothing, bags, books, and stationery, will be donated to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for distribution to those in need.

To ensure a swift process, items will primarily be sold in bulk. If bulk sales are not successful, the goods will be divided into smaller lots. İETT also provided guidance for passengers who lose items, advising them to contact the relevant operating unit on the day of the loss or use the ALO 153 Beyaz Masa hotline. For subsequent inquiries, lost item forms on İETT's website, applications via e-Devlet, or calls to a dedicated phone line are available.