06.08.2026 09:01
In the lawsuit between Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and IZOTAS regarding the operation of the Izmir Bus Terminal, the Court of Cassation ruled in favor of the municipality. While the interim injunction that halted the eviction has been lifted, following the completion of the eviction procedures, the management and operation of the Izmir Bus Terminal, which is Turkey's third-largest intercity bus terminal, will be fully transferred to the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.
The final decision has been announced in the legal process between Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and IZOTAS regarding the operation of the Izmir Bus Terminal. In line with the decision that became final after review by the Court of Cassation, the interim injunction order that had halted the eviction proceedings was lifted by the court.
OPERATION PERIOD ENDED IN 2023
Under the Build-Operate-Transfer contracts signed between Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and IZOTAS in 1997 and 1999, the operation period for the bus terminal was set at 25 years. The official operation period began on December 14, 1998, and the contract ended on December 14, 2023.
REQUESTED EXTENSION DUE TO COVID
The operating company IZOTAS filed a lawsuit requesting a 7-year extension of the contract, citing losses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Izmir 23rd Civil Court of First Instance rejected the case on January 28, 2025. The case was then appealed to the regional court and the Court of Cassation. Following the Court of Cassation's ruling in favor of the municipality, the court lifted the interim injunction order on August 4, 2026.
BUS TERMINAL OPERATION TO TRANSFER TO MUNICIPALITY
After the eviction procedures are completed, the management and operation of the Izmir Bus Terminal, one of Turkey's largest transportation hubs, will be fully carried out by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.