Turkey prepares for new school year with transit and safety measures

As the 2026-2027 academic year approaches, various Turkish municipalities are implementing measures to manage traffic and ensure student safety.

In Istanbul, the Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME) announced that public transportation will be free on the first day of school, September 14, between 06:00 and 16:00. To mitigate traffic congestion, authorities plan to add 3,665 extra trips across IETT, Metro Istanbul, and metrobüs lines. This initiative aims to redirect approximately 790,000 passengers to public transit and remove roughly 674,000 private vehicles from the roads. Additionally, security and traffic teams will be deployed at over 800 points, and road maintenance work will be paused during the opening week.

In Van, the Metropolitan Municipality is conducting strict inspections of school shuttle vehicles. Officials are checking technical compliance, hygiene, door sensors, camera systems, and the presence of first aid kits and fire extinguishers to ensure all vehicles meet safety standards before the new term.

In Mersin, new annual shuttle service rates have been established, starting at 26,000 TL for short distances (0-3 km). Local officials emphasized that rigorous security checks, including criminal record investigations for drivers and mandatory guide personnel for younger students, remain in effect.