Explained: What problems does Istanbul Municipality’s Beyaz Masa solve?
A metro train crosses the Golden Horn in Istanbul as residents begin their Eid al-Fitr holiday travel, with the iconic Suleymaniye Mosque visible in the background, Istanbul, Türkiye. (Adobe Stock Photo)
The chaos of Istanbul’s bustling life can be quite challenging especially if you are new to the city. The degree of diffuculty may increase if some of your personal items are lost in the city’s vibrant public spaces and transit networks.
For such scenarios, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) offers a lifeline through its public support initiative, Beyaz Masa, reachable by dialing 153.
Despite running decent operations for Turkish residents, Beyaz Masa service is often criticized by expats for not employing enough English speakers in a city where millions of foreigners reside or visit.
Beyaz Masa’s centralized solution for lost belongings
Travelers and residents who misplace items on municipally operated services — including the metro (Metro Istanbul), city buses (IETT), trams, and ferries (Sehir Hatlari) — can swiftly initiate a search by contacting Beyaz Masa.
The service maintains an integrated lost-and-found registry, ensuring that lost property reports are meticulously logged and traced. Recovered items are typically safeguarded for a designated period, often up to one year, pending their retrieval by rightful owners.
Real-time route assistance without internet access
Beyond its role in property recovery, Beyaz Masa extends an invaluable service for those without internet access. By simply calling 153, individuals can receive bespoke public transportation guidance, charting their journey from point A to point B across Istanbul’s extensive municipal transit network.
The hotline provides real-time navigation assistance, a critical resource for visitors and locals alike who may find themselves disconnected from digital maps.
However, commuters should be mindful of an essential caveat: the Marmaray line, a vital commuter rail connecting the European and Asian sides beneath the Bosphorus Strait, falls outside IBB’s jurisdiction.
As Marmaray is managed by the Turkish State Railways (TCDD), Beyaz Masa representatives are unable to incorporate Marmaray routes into their transit guidance.
Accessing Beyaz Masa services
• Phone: Dial 153 (service available 24/7; Turkish is primarily used, with limited English assistance available).
• In person: Visit Beyaz Masa counters situated in major transit hubs and municipal centers.
• Online: Submit inquiries through the official portal
In an ever-evolving urban landscape like Istanbul, IBB’s Beyaz Masa offers critical support when residents and travelers need it most.
