Holiday rush at the bus station: Vehicle occupancy rate reaches 100 percent

In the days approaching Eid al-Adha, the crowds at the July 15 Democracy Bus Terminal in Istanbul have increased. Despite the later-than-expected crowds due to the short holiday period and the fact that schools have not closed, bus companies have filled their vehicles to 100 percent. Companies have added additional trips to reduce the crowds and meet passenger demand. At the July 15 Democracy Bus Terminal, those going from Istanbul to Bursa can find tickets for 650 lira, those going to Ankara for 750 lira, and those going to Antalya for 1,300 lira. While tickets are sold for 1,800 lira for the approximately 17-hour Trabzon journey, tickets for the 25-hour Van journey are sold for 2,500 lira.

'THERE ARE 100 PERCENT OCCUPANCY RATES UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING'

Speaking about the intensity, the Vice President of the Turkish Bus Drivers Federation Musa Çaktır said, "As you know, this year, since the holiday is very short, the schools are closing a little later and the young people who will take the university exams usually have their lesson periods, we did not have the intensity we wanted this holiday. However, since Friday, there has been 80%, 90%, and since yesterday, 100% occupancy rates until Thursday evening. Accordingly, we have additional services. When we look at the previous periods in the entrances and exits, for example, 1,700 buses leave per day. This was around 800, 900 in the previous ones. This shows that people really come to visit. But it just seemed a little weak to us. Last holiday was much more crowded than before. It was spread over days. There were 9 days of holiday."

'WE GIVE 30 PERCENT DISCOUNT IN WINTER, WE ARE ISSUING NORMAL TICKETS IN SUMMER'

Çaktır said, "We did not increase our prices. There is a market rate given by our state. We cannot cut above or below that market rate. However, especially in the winter months, we can make a 30 percent discount based on the authority given to us by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. We say, 'Let's lower our prices so that people can visit comfortably. Everyone can come and go' and we make a 30 percent discount. Everyone has a season, we have a season too. Summer is here, and the work we will do is for 4 or 5 months. Accordingly, we cut our prices normally. If we give an example from last year. When we take Mardin as a base, tickets were being sold for 1,600 liras. This year, we are cutting 1,700 liras. In other words, it increased by 100 liras. Last year, we were cutting 450 for Izmir, this year we are cutting 700. In other words, there is nothing too extreme. When you look at many cities, you can see an increase of around 30 or 25 percent."

'THERE IS NO PROBLEM ON THE LEAVE, BACK IS DIFFICULT'

Çaktır said, “Now the whole city, as you know, during the holiday in all our countries, everywhere is from Istanbul, 40 percent of the sector is in Istanbul. When Istanbul is taken as a basis, all cities are visited. We have some problems returning from there because guests go there. When guests leave, they leave them until after the holiday. That is why there is no problem in departures. We had some problems returning, I think it will catch up with the occupancy rates today. We gather the entire board of directors before the holiday. In other words, we form something like a crisis desk. We hold meetings as a precaution, such as what we lack? What does the sector need? How should the passengers who will travel travel? We obtain this right with the help of the ministry so that we can make additional trips and meet the needs of the people during this holiday. We use it too. In other words, we are working very well on this issue. The drivers should not be tired, their clothes should be neat, there is no alcohol, which there is none, but despite everything, our traffic inspectors are right at the door. Those inspectors are checking them. We are already doing our best to prevent any fatigue and accidents.”

'WE EXPECT THE REAL INTENSITY FROM THIS EVENING'

Yengioğlu said, “Prices are the same, nothing has changed. There is always an issue in people’s minds about prices like ‘The holiday has come, prices have increased’. There is no such incident, no such perception. Our entire sector has to obtain documented tariffs from land transportation and apply them. We would never apply exorbitant prices. But now, appreciate, there are some companies. They open an additional service from here. That vehicle comes empty again. Since they apply the upper part of the received tariff, it seems different to people. But there is no such ‘increase’ situation. Everyone applies their normal tariff. This intensity actually started 2 days ago. But as I said, scheduled trips are full. We had one or two additional services sprinkled in between. We expect the real intensity starting from this evening. The 4th, 5th, 6th is the first day of the holiday; there will be no work anyway.”

'THE DENSITY IS IN THE 90'S PERCENT, WE ARRIVE EMPTY AND LEAVE FULL'

Another company official and also a bus driver, Aydın Sürü, said, "The density is very high, around 90 percent. Our additional trips continue. In other words, our company has about 5 vehicles coming, daily trips to Istanbul. It's been 3-4 days, and the last 2 days have been very busy. Our prices are standard. Right now, Bingöl is 1,450 km, 1,900 lira. There is a child discount, there is a percentage discount for families of martyrs and retirees. Of course, the luggage of the incoming passengers is also high. We turn a blind eye to that too. In other words, we come empty-handed when arriving, and we take passengers when leaving. For example, we came with 1 person yesterday when arriving. But when leaving, the density is very high. You cannot find a place in any company. Please, let's obey the traffic rules. In other words, let's have a nice holiday without any unpleasantness. I wish everyone a happy holiday in advance."

PASSENGERS TOLD: I FOUND MY TICKET AT THE LAST MINUTE

Şilan Seven, a student in Istanbul who went to her hometown Bingöl, said, "Normally I am at school, studying at university. I will return to my hometown, so I came to the bus station. The prices were actually cheaper before. Then all of a sudden they became 1,900. Normally it was 1,700 lira, they went up to 1,900. It is actually cheaper than flying now. I bought my ticket today. I got ready in 10 minutes. I couldn't find a ticket, I had been looking for it for days. I bought it when someone cancelled. Normally I was going to stay here, I was going to spend the holiday without my family. But when I suddenly found it, I bought it right away."

Traveling from Istanbul to Karabük, Bayram Çetin said, "I live here in İzmit. I am from Karabük Eflani. No problem, I bought my ticket 15 days in advance. I went there for the same price last year and I am going for 800 lira this year. I have 2 daughters and sons-in-law. We will sacrifice and return."

'WE CAN ONLY FIND TICKETS FOR 12 NIGHT'

Yusuf Serva Yüksel, a student in Istanbul, said, "Balıkesir Burhaniye. I am at school here, we are going there for vacation. We bought it yesterday, it was very crowded yesterday, it was busy. There are 7 seats

DHA

Editor: News Center