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17 October 2023, Tuesday Ankara, TÜRKİYE

Minister of Family and Social Services Göktaş: "Private public buses that do not benefit from the income support will also benefit from it"


Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated that the negotiations between the Ministry and the Tüm Özel Halk Otobüsleri Birliği (All Private Public Buses Association) regarding the income support paid within the scope of transportation free of charge were continuing and said, "We have reached the final stage in the activities on the amendment of the regulation regarding the inclusion of private public buses that do not benefit from the income support payment. We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance on an increase next year to improve income support, taking into account the poor conditions of the tradespersons, with the recent discussions."

Minister Göktaş made statements regarding the discussions on the transportation of persons aged 65 and over and persons with disabilities bearing a disability report of 40 % or more, benefiting from the right to transport free of charge, only on certain days of the month.

Göktaş stated that the monthly income support payments made to the owners of urban private public buses and maritime transportation vehicles carrying persons with disabilities and older citizens free of charge were regulated within the framework of the relevant law and continued to do so since 2015. The Ministry stated that the decision to carry passengers free of charge between the 1st and 4th of the month was against the law.

Reminding that the support payments were increased by 100% with the two increases made by the Ministry in 2023, Göktaş said, "We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance to make an increase next year to improve the income support, taking into account the poor conditions of the tradespersons, with the recent discussions."

Talks between the Ministry and the Tüm Özel Halk Otobüsleri Birliği (All Private Public Buses Association) continue

Stating that negotiations between the Ministry and Tüm Özel Halk Otobüsleri Birliği (All Private Public Buses Association) regarding the income support paid within the scope of transportation free of charge were ongoing, Minister Göktaş said:  "In these negotiations, we have come a long way by demonstrating an open and sensitive approach to cooperation in order to support the equal, full and non-discriminatory participation of every individual, especially persons with disabilities and older citizens, in social life. At this point, we have reached the final stage in the activities on the amendment of the regulation to include private public buses that do not benefit from the income support payment due to the fact that they are not allowed to carry standing passengers in their license, although they are carrying certain passengers free of charge. The fact that private public buses that do not benefit from income support will also benefit from support will be a fair practice that will relieve the conditions of tradespersons. We will continue to support the transportation of older persons aged 65 and over and persons with disabilities free of charge in public transportation in the city."