17.05.2026 17:21
Actor Altug Yucel's post praising the ease of using a credit card to board public transport on the London Underground with the words "smooth like Turkish delight" sparked debate on social media. Yucel, who said he only recently noticed the system that has been in use in Turkey for a long time, used the phrase "That's my ignorance" after comments like "Good morning".
Actor Altuğ Yücel's post about "public transport with a credit card" from the London Underground became a hot topic on social media. Yücel, who praised the system in London with the words "easy as Turkish delight," was reminded that a similar application has been in use in Turkey for a long time. Following the "Good morning" comments, Yücel admitted he was not aware of the application, saying, "That's my ignorance."
"EASY AS TURKISH DELIGHT"
The public transport system with a credit card, which has been used for years in many major cities of Turkey, became a topic of debate again after Altuğ Yücel's London post. Describing his experience of using a credit card for transport on the London Metro, Yücel said in his post on his X account:
"My favorite application in London is being able to use public transport with your credit card. No hassle of 3-day tickets or weekly tickets. You tap your credit card when getting on the bus or metro, and also when exiting, and it charges you the difference. It's easy as Turkish delight."
"IT ALSO EXISTS IN TURKEY" COMMENTS POURED IN
The post quickly caught the attention of social media users. Many users reminded that it is possible to use public transport with a credit card in many cities in Turkey, especially Istanbul. One user commented, "Let's say good morning, the same thing is available in many major cities of your homeland."
"THAT'S MY IGNORANCE"
In response to the comments, Yücel stated that he was unaware the application had become widespread in Turkey, and replied:
"It seems it's there. I'm very happy. But I didn't know about this system because until very recently I encountered people saying, 'My Istanbulkart has no balance, please tap your card and I'll pay in cash.' That's my ignorance. How would I know?"
HARSH CRITICISMS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
As the debate grew, some users criticized Yücel with harsh words. Some of the comments made on social media were as follows:
"Yours is not ignorance; it's a psychology of inferiority."
"If you don't know, you shouldn't make such a fuss; that's how you end up embarrassed, dummy."
"Clearly, from now on, everything you share needs to be carefully and cautiously investigated."
"We barter in Ankara. A bus ride from Çukurambar to Kızılay costs 8 eggs. It varies by distance; sometimes we drop them if they break."
"When there are a thousand things to praise about London, it's quite interesting that you go and praise using a credit card in public transport."
USED IN OVER 40 CITIES IN TURKEY
On the other hand, some users highlighted the advanced digital transport systems in Turkey, citing the QR code feature in the Istanbulkart application and the pass system that works even without the internet.
According to a 2022 statement by Mastercard, contactless credit card payments can be made on public transport in over 40 cities in Turkey.