In Istanbul, vehicle entries will be charged in 3 areas.

The details of the Istanbul Sustainable Urban Transport Plan (SKUP), which was introduced last year in collaboration with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and the European Union (EU), have started to become clear. It has been learned that access to certain centers in Istanbul will be subject to a fee.

ACCESS TO EMİNÖNÜ, KADIKÖY, AND BEYOĞLU BY VEHICLE WILL BE CHARGED

According to a report by Sputnik, vehicle owners will have to pay a fee when entering certain areas as part of the 'Traffic Congestion Pricing' included in SKUP. Eminönü has been selected as a pilot area, while the busy districts of Kadıköy and Beyoğlu will also be included in the project.

HIGHER FEES FOR POLLUTING VEHICLES

According to the plans, Eminönü will be included in the system within an area of approximately 6 square kilometers. Later, the Moda district of Kadıköy will be added to the implementation. In areas designated as 'Low Emission Zones', vehicles that harm the environment will pay higher fees. Environmentally friendly vehicles will benefit from lower tariff advantages.

ISTANBUL IS THE 65TH CITY WITH THE HIGHEST TRAFFIC CONGESTION

According to TomTom Traffic Index data, Istanbul ranks 65th in the global traffic congestion ranking. According to regulations, municipalities can limit, prohibit, or designate paid areas and roads for vehicles classified according to emission classes compatible with national and international standards, based on traffic congestion.

CITIES WITH PAID VEHICLE ENTRY AROUND THE WORLD

In many metropolises around the world, vehicle entries are subject to fees. The system is in place in London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore. In London, since 2003, drivers entering the city's busiest areas during certain hours are charged a daily fee of 15 pounds. This application has resulted in a 20% reduction in traffic.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, adopted the system after a referendum held in 2007. In the city, air pollution decreased by 14%, and traffic congestion decreased by 20%.

The city of Milan in Italy has implemented a paid vehicle entry system called "Area C" since 2012. A fee of 5 euros is charged for fossil fuel vehicles, while electric and hybrid vehicles can enter for free.

The first city to implement a paid vehicle entry system was Singapore in 1975. New York was recorded as the first city in the U.S. to charge for vehicle entry in 2021.