12.07.2024 07:30
An important change has been made regarding Istanbulkart, which is used by millions of citizens. According to the decision taken by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council, a discount of 10 percent will be applied to the Full Istanbulkart, Monthly Full Blue Card, and Full Transfer fees for students over the age of 30. AK Party Group Spokesperson Murat Türkyılmaz reacted to the decision by saying, "According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the age of learning is 30. There is no tangible aspect to this."
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Council reduced the discount rates for students over the age of 30 by 10 percent with a decision that sparked controversy.
DISCOUNTS WILL BE APPLIED UP TO 10 PERCENT
The third session of the IMM Council in July was held at the municipal building in Saraçhane under the chairmanship of 1st Vice President of the Council Nuri Aslan. Upon the letter sent to the council by the Public Transportation Services Department, a change in the definition of student in the Istanbulkart Regulation was requested. The report stated that a discount of up to 10 percent of the full Istanbulkart, Monthly Full Blue Card, and Full Transfer fees determined by the UKOME will be applied to students over the age of 30.
NOTABLE STATEMENTS IN THE REPORT
The joint report of the Legal Commission and the Planning and Budget Commission included the following statements regarding the change in the definition of Student Istanbulkart: "The definition of Student Istanbulkart refers to the personalized Istanbulkart given to individuals who are enrolled in education within the scope of the National Defense University, Higher Education Law, and whose registration is verified by YÖKSİS, as well as individuals who are enrolled in education within the scope of the National Education Basic Law, Private Education Institutions Law, Apprenticeship Education Law, and other laws, and whose registration is verified through the electronic system. Individuals who have completed high school education but have not been able to enter the university entrance exam or have not been placed in any university are considered students for a period of 1 year. A discount of up to 10 percent of the full Istanbulkart, Monthly Full Blue Card, and Full Transfer fees determined by the UKOME is applied to students over the age of 30."
REACTION FROM AK PARTY TO THE DECISION
AK Party member of the Legal Commission expressed their disagreement with the proposal, stating that it is contrary to the principle of equality and the law, and that all students should benefit from the same right.
CHP'S ÖZCAN: THE NUMBER INCREASED FROM 122 THOUSAND TO 270 THOUSAND
CHP Group Spokesperson Gencay Özcan stated that the number of people using the discounted card for students over the age of 30 in Istanbul increased from 122 thousand to 270 thousand after 2019, and expressed that this is contrary to the normal course of life. Özcan, who claimed that İBB suffered a loss due to this, stated that they may have to discuss high price increases if no precautions are taken.
AK PARTY'S TÜRKYILMAZ: ACCORDING TO İBB, THE AGE OF LEARNING IS 30
AK Party Group Spokesperson Murat Türkyılmaz also criticized the decision, saying, "According to İBB, the age of learning is 30. There is no tangible aspect to this. We have seen İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality for 5 years with populist practices. We saw this in the price increases of Halk Ekmek (public bread) and student dormitories. As your General Secretary stated, only a municipality that has consumed zero can do this." After the speeches, the proposal was accepted by majority vote.
DISCOUNT FOR UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE APPLYING TO EMPLOYMENT OFFICES FOR 3 MONTHS
Meanwhile, the proposal for providing free public transportation support for 4 trips per day for 3 months to those who apply to the Regional Employment Offices (BİO) affiliated with İBB for job interviews was also discussed in the council. The joint report of the Legal Commission and the Planning and Budget Commission presented to the council included the following statements regarding the proposal: "To provide free public transportation access for a maximum of 3 months, 1 month per job interview, to those who come to job interviews at BİOs, do not have a free Istanbulkart, and can prove that they are not employed through the SGK e-government registration. The application will be carried out under the control of the Lifelong Learning Branch Directorate, and the application will be made through the Istanbulkart Mobile Application, and the QR feature can also be used. The application will be paid by the Public Transportation Services Department based on the student subscription coefficient calculated dynamically every month throughout Istanbul, using the number of passes used by authorities per used counter. The application will be carried out by integrating the BİO system infrastructure with web services by BELBİM AŞ, and a report will be prepared every month." The proposal was unanimously accepted in the council.