Şehir HatlarıOn Tuesday, October 6th, the liberation day of Istanbul, public transport services across the city will be offered free of charge for 24 hours to personalized Istanbulkart holders. In accordance with the decision taken by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Council, buses, metros, Metrobus lines, trams, rail system lines, and Şehir Hatları ferries integrated into the Istanbulkart system will benefit from this special application. This arrangement aims to facilitate urban transportation for Istanbul residents on this significant day and encourage their participation in celebrations.
Who Can Benefit from Free Public Transport?
The most fundamental condition to benefit from free public transport is that the Istanbulkart used must be personalized. Standard fare tariffs will continue to apply for passes made with anonymous cards, temporary tickets, or tourist cards that have not completed the personalization process. Passengers are strongly advised to check the personalization status of their cards before traveling to avoid any inconvenience.
Which Lines Are Excluded from the Free Transport Scheme?
An important point to consider when planning transportation is the scope of the free application. The IMM's announcement covers only lines within its own structure and integrated with Istanbulkart. Therefore, the Marmaray line and the Gayrettepe - Istanbul Airport Metro line, which operate under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, are not included in this scheme, and standard fare tariffs will apply on these lines. Citizens will need to pay a fee when using these lines.
Additionally, some special lines that fall outside the IMM's ticket integration network are also exempt from the free application. These lines include:
- Princes' Islands electric lines
- Beyoğlu-Taksim Nostalgic Tram
- Karaköy-Beyoğlu Historical Tunnel line
- Special bus lines providing logistics to Istanbul Airport
- İDO Gulf crossing lines
While Şehir Hatları ferries on popular routes like Kabataş - Princes' Islands will be free, it's important to remember that the electric lines within the Princes' Islands are subject to a fare. Passengers must plan their travel routes considering these restrictions to avoid any disruptions. For instance, after arriving at Buyukada Pier, a different fare will apply for transportation within the island. Similarly, while ferries departing from Kabataş Pier and integrated with Istanbulkart are free, lines operated by different operators, such as Marmaray, are not.
Citizens are advised to check the official announcements and websites of the relevant transport operators for the most current and accurate information. Specifically, on services to the Princes' Islands from different departure points such as Bostancı - Princes' Islands or Kadıköy - Princes' Islands, those integrated with Şehir Hatları will also be free.