Izmir Bus Terminal operations transferred to municipal companies; service fees increase

The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Council has approved the transfer of the Izmir Bus Terminal's operating rights to municipal subsidiaries. This decision follows a court ruling that settled a dispute over the terminal's management.

Previously, the operating rights were granted to İZOTAŞ for 25 years under a build-operate-transfer model. However, İZOTAŞ sought a seven-year extension, citing the pandemic, which led to a legal battle. The Court of Cassation recently ruled in favor of the Metropolitan Municipality, granting them the operating rights.

Under the new arrangement, the terminal's parking facilities will be managed by İZELMAN A.Ş., commercial areas like cafes and restaurants by GRAND PLAZA A.Ş., and transportation services by İZULAŞ A.Ş., all for a period of five years. Thirty percent of the revenue generated from these operations will be transferred to the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

In a separate decision, the council approved a 20% increase in service fees for school and personnel transport vehicles across Izmir. The shortest distance for student transport (0-3 km) will now cost 3,654 Turkish lira, up from 3,045 lira. For personnel transport, the initial fee for vehicles with 10-17 seats has risen to 4,363 lira from 3,636 lira, with the per-kilometer charge increasing to 56.40 lira from 47 lira.