Turkey implements school year transport and safety measures

Turkish municipalities and transport authorities are implementing various measures ahead of the new academic year. In Istanbul, the Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME) announced that public transportation will be free on September 14, from 06:00 to 16:00, to ease traffic congestion. To support this, approximately 3,665 additional trips will be provided across IETT, metrobus, and Metro Istanbul services, aiming to redirect nearly 790,000 passengers and reduce vehicle traffic by over 674,000. Security and traffic safety measures include deploying thousands of personnel at hundreds of points and conducting strict inspections of school service vehicles.

In other regions, Van Metropolitan Municipality is conducting detailed inspections of school service vehicles to ensure compliance with technical, hygienic, and safety regulations, such as door sensors and camera requirements. In Mersin, the annual service fees for student transportation have been set, with short-distance rates starting at 26,000 TL per year. Authorities in Mersin also emphasized strict security protocols, including criminal record checks for drivers and the mandatory presence of guide personnel in vehicles for preschool, primary, and middle school levels.