Health workers will continue to ride free for 3 more months. According to the latest information, following the lifting of intercity travel restrictions on Monday, June 1, 2020, new regulations are being introduced and implemented one by one. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Karaismailoğlu announced changes to the age groups covered by the curfew and stated that under the new rules, an HES code is mandatory for all citizens traveling on high-speed trains. He emphasized that citizens under 18 and over 65 cannot travel without a Travel Permit. The minister also brought good news for healthcare workers: from Monday, June 1, 2020, they will continue to use Marmaray and Başkentray services free of charge for an additional three months.
Minister Karaismailoğlu Announces Good News for Healthcare Workers
Minister Karaismailoğlu shared encouraging news for healthcare workers. As the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we continue efforts to reunite people with their loved ones and shorten distances. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have maintained investments that will advance Turkey while addressing the negative impacts on all modes of transport.
All Marmaray trains have been arranged so that seating and standing areas comply with social distancing rules, with warning and guidance labels in place. Trains are disinfected after each trip. Marmaray services have been planned in inner and outer loops to manage passenger density. From Monday, June 1, 2020, between 06:00 and 22:00, a total of 285 trips will operate along the 76-kilometer Halkalı–Gebze line. Trains will run between Zeytinburnu and Maltepe and back at eight-minute intervals, and at other stations at fifteen-minute intervals. Officials noted that this arrangement increases passenger capacity rather than trip frequency.