Family Discounts Coming to Intercity Bus Tickets! Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many regulations have been introduced across various sectors. One of these changes affects intercity passenger buses. A new family arrangement is being implemented in response to the 50% capacity restriction on intercity buses. Under this arrangement, family members traveling together will be allowed to sit side by side on buses. As a result, tickets for families will receive discounts ranging from 25% to 40%.
Within coronavirus precautions, a new application is being added to the 50% capacity limit on intercity buses. According to available information, the Ministry of Interior will permit people from the same family to travel seated next to each other. Based on studies prepared with approval from the Ministry of Health and the Scientific Committee, family members will be allowed to sit together on buses. Under the new rule, seating capacities are adjusted so more family members can travel together: on 2+1 seating buses with an original total of 41 seats, up to 34 passengers may be carried; on buses with 38 seats, up to 32 passengers may be carried. For 2+2 seating configurations, a 54-seat bus may carry up to 38 passengers and a 46-seat bus up to 34 passengers. This change will be reflected in ticket prices. Bus fares for family travelers will be reduced by approximately 25% to 40%.
Helping Family Budgets for Intercity Travel
Helping Family Budgets for Intercity Travel. Mustafa Yıldırım, President of the United Bus Operators Federation, commented on the family seating arrangement. He said the Ministry of Interior requested a seating chart for buses, and they prepared it accordingly. He explained that people from the same family who travel together to the station and already sit side by side should also be allowed to sit together on the bus. After the 50% capacity restriction was applied due to the coronavirus, ticket prices rose, making travel more expensive for families traveling together. The new arrangement is expected to significantly ease the burden on household budgets. Family members traveling together will be able to purchase cheaper tickets.
The federation president said bus companies have prepared campaigns aimed at families and described the application as follows. When two people from the same family travel together, ticket prices will be approximately 25% cheaper. For example, if a ticket cost 100 TL before the coronavirus, it rose to 180 TL under the restrictions. With the new regulation, two people traveling together will receive a 25% discount, lowering the combined ticket cost to 135 TL per person. If three family members travel together, the fare will be about 120 TL per person. When a family of four—mother, father and two children—travels together, fares could fall to around 110 TL per person. If a single passenger travels alone, the fare will remain at 180 TL under the current restrictions.