The new academic year begins in Istanbul: Public transportation will be free

Following the 'adaptation week' period held between 7-11 September in order for kindergarten and primary school 1st grade children to get to know the classroom environment and adapt to school more easily, the new academic year officially starts on Monday at all levels.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WILL BE FREE

In the action plan prepared by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME), public transportation vehicles will provide free service between 06.00-16.00 on Monday.

In order to increase the use of public transportation, it is planned to increase the capacity with 3 thousand 665 additional trips in IETT, Metrobus and Metro Istanbul.

With these services, it is aimed to direct approximately 790 thousand 830 passengers to public transportation and to remove approximately 674 thousand 809 vehicles from traffic.

18 THOUSAND SCHOOL SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TRAFFIC

With the opening of schools, it is expected that approximately 18 thousand school buses will enter the traffic and approximately 300 thousand students will be transported by shuttles, and traffic density is expected to increase.

MEASURES TAKEN

In order to increase traffic safety, various road and traffic arrangements will be made around the school. Maintenance and repair of vertical signs of pedestrian crossings around schools will be completed before the start of the academic year.

In order for school buses to operate safely, it is planned to determine the routes by obtaining students' addresses and contact information from the school principals.

THOUSANDS OF STAFF WILL WORK

Istanbul Police Department will carry out an intensified security practice consisting of 1,496 teams and 3,151 personnel at 808 points, 569 Children's Branch Directorate teams, 47 Mobile School Teams and 331 teams.

The Provincial Gendarmerie Command will also take traffic, safety and security measures in front of and near the schools in its areas of responsibility. Traffic gendarmerie teams will be on duty in schools that are important for traffic safety, and checks of school bus vehicles and bus drivers will be carried out in front of the school and on the routes.

A total of 866 personnel, consisting of 309 teams, 177 motorcyclists and 39 pedestrians, will work at 478 points that are important for traffic safety. In addition, it is planned to intervene in accidents with material damage with 33 tow trucks, to assign 10 teams at important intersections around the school and 100 dolphin teams in front of the school and its surroundings.

The IMM Police Department plans to have 231 police personnel in 111 teams actively work in schools, 8 tow trucks to serve at intersections with heavy traffic, and traffic control and guidance in the morning and evening hours.

ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS WILL BE SUSPENDED

Within the scope of road maintenance and infrastructure works, no work will be done on construction sites during the week when schools open.

It is planned to complete the current works before the opening of the school, to remove materials and similar elements from the main arteries that may affect traffic circulation, and to intervene immediately in damaged infrastructures.

It is envisaged that the work that must be continued will be carried out in the night shift between 22.00 and 05.00, and that a team will be on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies.