13.12.2025 12:30
The "Young Izmir Card," which offers discounted fares for passengers aged 7 to 26, has become the subject of a legal dispute in İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. Lawyers Güntaç Arlıyüz and Yasin Baykal stated that there is no distinction of the term "youth" in the constitution, arguing that student cards should be reinstated and that students of all ages should benefit from this discount.
According to the decision made by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council, İzmir residents aged 7-26 will be subject to the 'Genç İzmirim Kart/Genç Abonman İzmirim Kart' application starting from December 1. The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality changed the term 'student' in the 'Public Transportation Fare Schedule' to 'young'. The statement 'students under the age of 30 can benefit' in the schedule has been updated to 'individuals aged 7 and above, but under the age of 26 can benefit.'
IZMIRLI TWO LAWYERS WENT TO COURT
Two İzmir lawyers, Yasin Baykal and Güntaç Arlıyüz, took the decision to court. Stating that they won the case they filed regarding the 'students under the age of 30 can benefit' clause of the İzmirim Card student tariff, Güntaç Arlıyüz said, "In the decision made by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council on May 17, 2024, a 29-year age limit was set for the student card. After this decision, we applied to the Administrative Court. We stated that this decision is contrary to the principle of equality in the constitution. We emphasized that being a student is a status and not related to age. A 20-year-old studying in an official institution is a student just like a 50-year-old studying in an official institution. The authority to apply or not apply discounts belongs to the municipality. However, making a distinction among students is unconstitutional," he said.
"I GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL AT 33"
Stating that they opened this case based on their own student life, Arlıyüz said, "The First Instance Court rejected our application, but we took it to the Regional Court of Appeals. The 7th Administrative Court of the İzmir Regional Administrative Court found us justified on the grounds that it was contrary to legal security and the principle of equality. A student is a student, and it has nothing to do with age. The decision made by the council was rejected on the grounds of being contrary to the principle of equality. I entered law school at the age of 29 and graduated at 33. Did I only study law to benefit from the student card?" he expressed.
"THE OLD SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE RETURNED"
Yasin Baykal, who stated that the 'student card' system should be reverted, said, "According to the constitution, discrimination cannot be made solely against young people, and therefore we filed a cancellation lawsuit due to exceeding the discretion and public harm. We also filed a criminal complaint against the municipal administration and council members for not complying with the court decision. The old system needs to be returned. Every citizen with student status should be able to benefit from discounts with the student card again. There should be no age requirement or discrimination against certain individuals by defining young," he said.