25.09.2025 10:51
A family getting on a bus in Kağıthane wanted to pay the fare using a QR code, but they were unable to do so because "the app won't open." The family's refusal to accept the driver's suggestion to "ask another passenger" led to a confrontation. A few stops later, when the driver reacted to the family getting off the bus without paying, a fight broke out. The incident was captured on camera, with the young girl crying loudly during the altercation.
On August 8, Friday, around 16:30, a "QR code" fight broke out on an IETT bus in the Çeliktepe neighborhood of the Kağıthane district in Istanbul. According to the claim; Ceyhun G. (29), wanted to board the IETT bus with route number 41ST, which operates between Topkapı and Seyrantepe, along with his wife Esin G. (29) and their daughter H.G. (7). Ceyhun G. opened the Istanbulkart application to pay for the ticket using the QR code; however, he was unable to make the payment due to a problem with the application. In response, the driver Nurettin Akyol (34) told Ceyhun G. to hurry and that he could pay by getting a card from the passengers.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TAP YOUR CARD?" HE SAID, AND THE TROUBLE STARTED
Upon hearing this, Ceyhun G. allegedly replied to Akyol, "We have money, why should we beg to get in?" After the argument, Ceyhun G. moved towards the back of the bus with his family. A few stops later, Ceyhun G. wanted to get off the bus with his family. However, driver Akyol said to Ceyhun G., "Brother, why didn't you tap your card?" Ceyhun G. moved towards the driver's section from outside, and then the parties started arguing again.
THE LITTLE GIRL CRIED HYSTERICALLY
The fighting parties were separated by intervening citizens. During this time, Ceyhun G., who was recording with his mobile phone, continued to argue with driver Akyol, saying, "'You're done, you'll see tonight." Meanwhile, Ceyhun G.'s daughter H.G. cried hysterically on the street. After the incident, Ceyhun G. left the scene with his family, while the events were captured on a mobile phone camera.
"HE ACTED TOUGH OUTSIDE, YELLING AND SCREAMING"
Speaking about the incident, IETT bus driver Nurettin Akyol said, "I was coming from Topkapı towards Seyrantepe. The couple tried to scan the QR code with their phone. They also had a girl about 6-7 years old with them. They said, 'The application is broken, it won't open.' I said, 'Please ask someone inside to tap your card.' They replied, 'We have money, why should we beg to get in?' Anyway, we reached Çeliktepe. We dropped off our passengers, and at that moment, he was next to me, passed the middle door, went to the back door, and got off. I was moving at that time. Seeing this, I said, 'Brother, why didn't you tap your card?' He ran back into the bus, and I stood up to see what was happening, whether he was going to hit me. Then the passengers took him down. He acted tough outside, yelling and screaming. I didn't understand what he was trying to do. He tried to hit me or do something. He took his phone and started recording a video. He tried to justify his unjust situation and make me look unjust as well. It's all on the bus's internal cameras. This is a very sad incident, it was not a pleasant thing at all. I wish he had tapped his card and sat properly inside, instead of acting tough. He could have said, 'Captain, we don't have a card, we're getting on, but please forgive us.' He didn't have such a statement. I asked him to tap his card, I requested it, but he didn't. When the passengers inside said, 'Forget it,' we went back to our work at the steering wheel."