The Great Istanbul Bus Station, which has become the heart of the intercity journey with the physical and administrative change it has experienced; It hosts the cleanest, most peaceful welcomes and farewells. Bus Terminal, which has become the center of social life with its new venues that catch the age; Under the management of the IMM, it has become a multi-identity, very lively and very colorful. In the new area under construction, the homeless will be hosted.
Grand Istanbul Bus Station, which was taken over as a place of depression and fear in September 2019, has been transformed into a transportation and attraction center in 2,5 years. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) started with the neglected and misused areas on the lower floors.
Derelict and dangerous buildings were evacuated, demolished and cleaned. All asphalt areas have been renewed. Camera and lighting systems were installed in all common areas, repair and maintenance works were completed. By employing cleaning and security personnel; a hygienic, safe and peaceful facility was created. Parking areas and taxi stands were also operated by IMM, and the grievances of citizens and taxi drivers were eliminated.
SPECIAL SERVICE TO THE DRIVERS AT THE CAPTAIN'S HOUSING
In the Captain's Mansion, which was put into service, long-distance bus drivers and their assistants are offered the opportunity to rest, bathe, wash uniforms, eat and drink, and socialize.
TURNED INTO A SOCIALIZATION CENTER
At the bus station; Socializing spaces that will bring together Istanbulites from all walks of life, such as the library, conference hall, sports center, theatre, art workshop, playground, youth center and performance studio, were created.
In the facility; live music performances were held, painting exhibitions were opened, conferences and trainings were held, and theaters were played. In the area called Dolmabahçe Clock Tower, a computer training hall, art workshops, library and classrooms, as well as a theater stage and playgrounds were built.
YOUTH OFFICE OPENED
One of the most admired points of the bus station was the "İBB Youth Office". Here, courses and seminar programs for the education, personal development and employment of young people between the ages of 15-29 began to be organized. The office also provides guidance services such as transportation, accommodation, food and beverage and cultural trips to the young people who come to Istanbul.
The first theater play met with the audience at the newly opened Hasan Ali Yücel Stage, which provides free service. There were also tradesmen among the theater actors.
LIBRARY IS READY TO OPEN
Evliya Çelebi Library will be the other social area that has been made ready to be put into operation in line with the social transformation in the bus station. This library, which will be put into service in a short time, will ensure that passengers waiting for their departure times will have a quality and enjoyable time. Citizens will be able to visit the Evliya Çelebi Library and participate in panels and talks whenever they wish.
Work has reached the final stage for the Amateur Musicians Music and Performance Studio and Sports Hall to be put into service at the Grand Istanbul Bus Terminal.
FAHRETTIN BESLI: “THE OTOGAR IS NOW MORE PEACEFUL, LIVELY AND COLORFUL”
Grand Istanbul Bus Terminal Operations Manager Fahrettin Beşli, President Ekrem İmamoğluStating that he wanted them to create a safe, clean, multi-colored and multi-identity facility, he said that they have covered significant distances in line with these goals. Beşli gave the following information about the new projects:
“This is a huge facility of 290 thousand square meters. We are working for people to come to the Bus Station other than for intercity travel, welcome and farewell purposes. Passengers, drivers and tradesmen are very pleased with all these works we have done. The bus station is now a safe, peaceful, lively, colorful place. Our citizens who will travel can come earlier and have a good time with our services and activities, many of which are free.”
MANSIONS FOR THE HOMELESS
Fahrettin Beşli also announced that they started to build a social service mansion under the Cumhuriyet Mosque within the borders of the Bus Terminal for the god guests who had to spend the night here or who were trying to shelter. Beşli stated that they will meet the needs of the citizens staying in the building, which is under construction, such as accommodation, eating and drinking, bathroom and clothing, and continued his words as follows:
“We will offer accommodation to our citizens as long as they are needed. At the first opportunity, we will send them off to the places they want to go. In this building, we will also establish an addiction-fighting unit for addictions, which is one of the most important problems of our city and country. We will support those who are committed to treatment.
BUS ACADEMY IN BUS GARDEN
Emphasizing that the Institute Istanbul İSMEK has started a new project under the name of Bus Academy at the Bus Station, Beşli said, “We will provide trainings to the employees of the passenger transportation sector such as drivers, co-drivers, stewardesses, and counter staff in their vocational training such as communication and foreign language. We will enable them to do their work more consciously and more enjoyable. Similar studies will continue and the bus station will continue to be remembered with its brand new identity by completely erasing its past.”
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