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Istanbul has approved fare increases across its entire public transportation network, with commuter rail tickets climbing by as much as 25 percent and bus fares rising 20 percent following a vote in the city assembly.
The joint report, prepared by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Tariff Commission and Transport and Traffic Commission, covers buses, metro lines, ferries, taxis, minibuses, and school transport services. The new rates will take effect on Feb. 16.
The steepest increases fall on rail commuters. TCDD Tasimacilik, the state railway operator under Türkiye's Ministry of Transport, secured a 25.49 percent increase, pegged to the official revaluation rate, for the Gebze-Halkali Marmaray line, the Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport-Halkali metro, and the Sirkeci-Kazlicesme suburban rail corridor.
Under the new schedule, a Marmaray journey of one to seven stations will start at 34 TL (approximately $0.78), scaling up to 74.70 TL for trips spanning 36 to 43 stations, with the longest-distance fare reaching 75 TL. On the airport metro line, fares will range from 34 TL for one to three stations up to 66.54 TL for 15 to 16 stations.
For buses operated by IETT, Istanbul's municipal transit authority, the commission cited rising fuel and electricity prices, exchange rate volatility, imported spare parts costs, and increased operating expenses as justification for a 20 percent fare increase.
A standard Istanbulkart fare will now be 42 TL, while a single-use ticket will cost 60 TL. Student fares are set at 20.50 TL, with the first transfer priced at 31.27 TL. Multi-ride passes have also increased, with a 10-ride card costing 480 TL and a 12-ride card 580 TL. On routes requiring a double fare, a single boarding will reach 84 TL.
Monthly passes face equally significant jumps. The full-fare monthly blue card rises from 2,748 TL to 3,298 TL, while student passes go from 494 TL to 593 TL. Students aged 30 and over will pay 2,968 TL per month, and seniors over 60 will be charged 2,051 TL. Municipal employees will pay 1,618 TL.
Metrobus fares, calculated by distance, will start at 30.07 TL for one to three stops, climb to 52.73 TL for 10 to 15 stops, and peak at 62.35 TL for journeys of 34 stops or more.
Taxi meters will also be recalibrated across all vehicle classes. For standard D-segment taxis, the base fare is set at 65.40 TL with a per-kilometer charge of 43.56 TL and a 210 TL minimum. Luxury taxis will carry a base fare of 111.18 TL, a per-kilometer rate of 74.05 TL, and a 360 TL minimum ride. Electric-converted taxis fall in between, with an 85.02 TL opening fare and a 270 TL minimum.
Ferry fares see notable increases on key routes. The Kadikoy-Eminonu crossing will cost 59.28 TL, while the popular Uskudar-Eminonu line rises to 53.20 TL. The longest route, Avcilar-Bostanci, will reach 177.80 TL, and fares to the Princes' Islands are set at 137.48 TL. On the Sirkeci-Harem car ferry, automobiles and minivans will pay 240 TL, SUVs 260 TL, and buses 630 TL.
Minibus short-hop fares, known locally as "indi-bindi," rise to 39 TL for distances under four kilometers, scaling to 47 TL for trips of 15 to 20 kilometers. Student minibus fares increase from 21 TL to 25 TL.
The approved tariff also covers school shuttle services, with the shortest-distance rate, covering zero to one kilometer, rising from 3,376 TL to 4,051 TL.
Istanbul's public transit network serves millions of daily commuters across two continents, and fare adjustments typically spark broad public debate in a city where transportation costs represent a significant share of household budgets, particularly for lower-income residents.
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