Highways, public transport free across Türkiye during Eid al-Fitr holiday
File photo shows a row of automated turnstiles at a Marmaray station in Istanbul, where passengers are passing through using electronic cards. Marmaray is an undersea rail transportation system connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, Türkiye. It is a vital infrastructure project and one of the world's most ambitious engineering feats, often referred to as a "flagship project" of Türkiye. (AA Photo)
Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced Saturday that public transport, highways, and bridges operated by the government will be free of charge during the Ramadan Bayram, also known as Eid al-Fitr.
Minister Uraloglu shared details of the presidential decree in a post on X, announcing that highways operated by the General Directorate of Highways (KGM), as well as the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul, will be toll-free.
The initiative began Sunday and will remain in effect until 7:00 a.m. local time (GMT +3) on Wednesday, April 2, he added.
From Istanbul to Ankara, public transport free
Besides roads and bridges, several key rail services will also be free. These include Marmaray in Istanbul, Baskentray in Ankara, IZBAN in Izmir, the Sirkeci–Kazlicesme Rail Line, and the Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport–Arnavutkoy Metro Line.
The free rail transport will be available from midnight on Sunday, Mar. 30 (Saturday night into Sunday), until 11:59 p.m. local time on Tuesday, April 1.
“We aim to make it easier for everyone to reunite with their loved ones during Ramadan Bayram,” said Minister Uraloglu. “We hope the holiday brings health, happiness, and prosperity to our nation.”
