30.10.2026 01:20
The tension between Martı TAG and taxi drivers flared up again after the action in Maslak. A harsh response came from Martı founder Oğuz Alper Öktem after a group of taxi drivers gathered in front of the company’s office and blocked traffic. Speaking while traveling to New York for investor meetings, Öktem stated that what happened would not intimidate him and addressed the taxi drivers with the words, “You don’t realize that you’re finished.”
Oğuz Alper Öktem, founder of Martı and Martı TAG, reacted to a group of taxi drivers' protest targeting the company's office in Maslak and their blocking traffic on Büyükdere Avenue. Öktem, who published a video while traveling to New York for investor meetings, stated that what happened would not intimidate him and said he would invest more in Martı TAG and technology projects.
“THEY CAME WHILE THE OFFICE WAS EMPTY AND TRIED TO ATTACK EMPLOYEES”
Noting that the taxi drivers came to the company's office during the October 29 Republic Day holiday, Öktem reacted strongly to the protest. Claiming that a group of taxi drivers raided the office and tried to attack employees, Öktem stated that because traffic was blocked on Büyükdere Avenue, citizens were left stranded on the roads and ambulances had difficulty moving forward.
“I WILL WORK HARDER AND BRING MORE INVESTMENT TO TURKEY”
Stating that he went to New York to meet with investors, Öktem said the protest led him not to step back but to work harder.
In his statement, Öktem said:
“Now you have motivated me even more. I will bring more investment to Turkey and do more than my best for Martı's growth. I will pay more attention to the RoboMartı project and develop its technology. I will increase Martı TAG's advertising and reach more drivers, and at the end of the day I will get many more people to ride Martı TAG.”
“THERE ARE 620 THOUSAND MARTI TAG DRIVERS”
Also touching on the competition between Martı TAG and the taxi sector, Öktem brought up driver numbers. Claiming that there are 620 thousand Martı TAG drivers in Turkey while the number of taxi drivers is 80 thousand, Öktem concluded his statement with these words:
“Today there are 620 thousand Martı TAG drivers in Turkey, whereas there are only 80 thousand taxi drivers. The matter is already over, the issue is closed; you are simply not yet aware of it.”