Istanbul, March 16 – As Ramadan Bayram and the coinciding 10-day school holiday approach, bus tickets for main routes in Istanbul are almost entirely sold out. Birol Özcan, President of the Turkish Bus Operators Federation (TOFED), announced that the occupancy rate for primary bus services has reached 90%.
Özcan stated that in previous Bayram periods, main services at Büyük Istanbul Bus Terminal would quickly fill up, leading to the introduction of additional services. He anticipates similar high demand for these extra services, given the dual impact of Ramadan Bayram and the school break falling within the same period.
Anticipated Surge in Bus Services
“We expect the daily number of bus services during Bayram to reach 1200-1300, or even 1400,” Özcan remarked. He highlighted that the occupancy rate for main services in Istanbul has significantly increased in the pre-Bayram period, now standing at 90%. “We anticipate that the Bayram and mid-term break will bring considerable activity to the sector,” he added.
High Demand Driven by Dual Holidays
The simultaneous occurrence of Ramadan Bayram and the 10-day school holiday is a key factor driving this unprecedented demand. Families and individuals are planning their travels, leading to a rapid depletion of available tickets. This surge underscores the importance of early booking for those planning to travel during this peak period.
Impact on Travelers and the Sector
The high demand indicates that many residents of Istanbul are preparing to travel out of the city for the holidays. This situation not only affects travelers who may face difficulties in securing tickets but also highlights the robust activity within the bus transportation sector during festive seasons. The increased number of services will be crucial in accommodating the large volume of passengers.
TOFED’s expectations for a significant increase in daily bus services reflect the industry’s efforts to meet consumer demand and ensure that as many people as possible can travel to their desired destinations. However, the current high occupancy rates suggest that travelers should act quickly to avoid disappointment.
Source: https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/bayram-oncesi-otobus-biletleri-bitmek-uzere-7543848
