27.08.2026 15:21
Due to the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, public transportation vehicles included in the ticket integration in Istanbul will be free on Monday, September 14, between 06:00 and 16:00. The action plan containing the transportation and traffic measures to be implemented in the city on the first day of school has also been shared.
At the meeting of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME), an action plan including the transportation and traffic measures to be implemented in the city due to the start of the 2026-2027 academic year was shared.
In the non-agenda section of the meeting held at the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) under the chairmanship of IMM Deputy Secretary General Pelin Alpkökin, a presentation was made regarding the action plan, which includes the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Istanbul Governorship, IMM, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Istanbul Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, and Istanbul General Service Vehicle Operators Tradesmen Chamber, due to the new academic year starting on Monday, September 14.
In the presentation, preparations aimed at reducing the congestion that may occur in Istanbul traffic with the opening of schools, ensuring students' safe transportation to their schools, and the coordinated operation of transportation systems were shared.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL BE FREE
Within the scope of the plan, it is envisaged that public transportation vehicles included in the ticket integration will provide free service between 06:00-16:00 on Monday, September 14, when schools open.
With the opening of schools, approximately 18 thousand school service vehicles are expected to enter traffic and approximately 300 thousand students are expected to be transported by these services.
In order to increase the use of public transportation, it is planned to increase capacity with 3,665 additional trips on IETT, metrobus, and Metro Istanbul. With these trips, it is aimed to direct approximately 790,830 passengers to public transportation and remove approximately 674,809 vehicles from traffic.
Various road and traffic arrangements will also be carried out around schools to increase traffic safety.
The signalization maintenance, repair, washing, and programming operations initiated by the Traffic Branch Directorate of the Transportation Department in January this year will be completed by the opening date of schools.
In addition, the maintenance and repair of the vertical signs of pedestrian crossings around schools will be completed before the academic term begins.
The "I Am a Conscious Driver" signs prepared by the Traffic Branch Directorate will also be hung on signal poles for one week.
SCHOOL SERVICES AND SCHOOL SURROUNDINGS WILL BE INSPECTED
For the safe operation of school services, it is planned to obtain students' address and contact information from school directorates and determine routes.
Information will be provided to ensure that service vehicles, drivers, and guide personnel operate in compliance with the relevant legislation. Drivers' Public Transportation Vehicle Usage Certificates will also be checked through IMM's relevant system.
It will be ensured that students are not transported above the carrying limit in the services and that students are not dropped off outside the designated drop-off and pick-up points.
Istanbul Police Department will carry out an intensified security practice consisting of 1,496 teams and 3,151 personnel at 808 points, 569 Juvenile Branch Directorate teams, 47 Mobile School Teams, and 331 teams.
At 478 points that are important for traffic safety, a total of 866 personnel, consisting of 309 teams, 177 motorcyclists, and 39 pedestrians, will be on duty. Additionally, it is planned to respond to property damage accidents with 33 tow trucks, assign 10 teams at major intersections around schools, and 100 motorcycle traffic police teams in front of and around schools.
The Provincial Gendarmerie Command will also take traffic, security, and public order measures in front of and near the schools in its area of responsibility. Traffic gendarmerie teams will work at schools that are important for traffic safety, and checks of school service vehicles and service drivers will be carried out in front of schools and on routes.
Under the IMM Police Department, it is also planned that 231 municipal police personnel in 111 teams will actively work at schools, 8 tow trucks will serve at intersections with heavy traffic, and traffic inspections and guidance will be carried out in the morning and evening hours.
ROAD MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS WILL BE PAUSED FOR ONE WEEK
Within the scope of road maintenance and infrastructure works, no work will be carried out at construction sites during the week schools open. It is planned to complete existing works before the school opening, remove materials and similar elements on main arteries that could affect traffic circulation, and intervene immediately in damaged infrastructures.
It is envisaged that mandatory ongoing works will continue during the night shift between 22:00-05:00, and on-call teams will be available 24/7 for emergencies.
With the start of the academic year, it is planned that IMM and education-related institutions will convene at the Transportation Management Center (UYM) and AKOM as of 07:00 and work for three days.
During this process, Istanbul traffic will be monitored via city traffic cameras, and it will be ensured that relevant units intervene quickly on congested arteries.
NEW DECISION REGARDING ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN THE PRINCES' ISLANDS
In the meeting, the proposal of the Public Transportation Services Branch Directorate to extend the registration period for electric vehicles in the Princes' Islands, which expires on July 30, until September 30, 2027, was also discussed.
Serdar Yücel, the 1st Regional Manager of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, reminded that the registrations of these vehicles have been extended with UKOME decisions for about 6 years and stated that their opinion was not to extend the registration for the future.
The proposal to extend the registration period of a total of 60 electric vehicles was rejected by a majority of votes.
Additionally, in the meeting, the proposal to make arrangements for personnel working at the Ministry of National Education within the scope of the IMM Personnel Card was unanimously accepted.