Taxi Crisis in Istanbul Reflected on the World Press

As you know, there has been a big taxi crisis in Istanbul for a long time. The trouble experienced in these times when we wake up to new news every day that taxi drivers are fined for not accepting domestic customers, to the world press started.

Bethan McKernan from The Guardian newspaper was one of the names who shared her thoughts on this subject in the most comprehensive way. McKernan, who shows the plate mafia as one of the biggest causes of the crisis, said that the solutions produced by Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on this issue. It has been rejected many times by the union and that the incident will reach more serious dimensions. expressed.

Hard headline from The Guardian: “Towards the dark world of taxi mafia in Istanbul”

Despite the increase in the population of Istanbul, the number of taxis continued to remain constant, so people began to be unable to meet one of their simplest needs, transportation, through taxis. Because they can earn more income preferring only tourists Although taxi drivers continue to be fined for not picking up local customers, these fines are not enough to deter them and people in Istanbul continue to suffer.

Stating that 43 thousand complaints were received about taxi drivers only this year, McKernan stated in his article that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Administration President Utku Cihan “We have submitted reports that we need to add 6,000 licensed taxi plates, but the union denies it” made statements.

One of the details McKernan underlined was that the taxi drivers had bloody knives with pirate taxi drivers, and even did everything they could to get Uber out of the country. In addition, even if local customers find a taxi, they are often that they were exposed to incidents such as racism, verbal and physical abuse. expressed.

Despite İmamoğlu’s efforts, nothing was done and that people see him as a potential candidate in the upcoming presidential election. Emphasizing that these problems were not resolved in a short time, McKernan said that even if they were solved, especially those who do not know the owners of the taxi license plates. taxi drivers will continue to have problems expressed.

The journalist who wants to strengthen his claim, Serdar Yılmaz, who works at a taxi stand in Beyoğlu, also included his statements; “I’ve had this car for five years and have never met the owner. I just pay my daily rent in the center. They’re a total mob. We don’t have social security. If you’re willing to earn very little, anyone can. They don’t do forensics. It’s not a nice job.”