Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin Böcek organized an information meeting on the work done in urban transportation. Stating that they will solve the problems experienced in urban transportation by expanding the rail system network and increasing the number of buses, Mayor Insect said, “Works on the 18 km 4th Stage rail system project between Konyaaltı and Varsak have been completed and the preparations for the construction tender have come to an end. The project works for the 22 km 5th stage rail system between Konyaaltı-Lara-Kundu have been completed. In addition, we strengthened our public transportation system by purchasing 2 new buses, 62 of which are electric.”
Mayor of Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin Böcekmet with members of the press to give information about the works carried out in urban transportation and to introduce the newly added buses to the public transportation fleet. Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin BöcekMetropolitan Municipality Secretary General Cansel Tuncer, Chief Advisor to the Mayor Cem Oğuz, Head of Transportation and Planning Rail System Nurettin Tonguç, Antalya Transportation A.Ş. Deniz Filiz, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, deputy general secretaries, heads of departments and branch managers attended.
62 Bus in Service
President Muhittin BöcekPointing out that the natural and historical structure of Antalya does not allow the construction of new roads or even the expansion of existing roads in the central areas of the city, he said, “We will solve the needs of people to come to the city center with public transportation systems. We will solve these problems by expanding the Antalya rail system network and increasing the number of buses running. We strengthened our public transportation system by purchasing 2 new buses, 62 of which are electric. Our buses are environmentally friendly, comfortable and disabled-friendly. Each of our 60 buses cost 4 million 380 thousand TL, including interest rates. If we try to buy these buses today, we will have to pay 5 million 800 thousand TL in advance for each of them. Our buses are going into service as of today,” he said.
Battı Output Projects Ready
Pointing out that 3 sunk and crossroads planned between İller Bankası and Uncalı for the flow of traffic on Gazi Boulevard, although they are the duty of the Highways, they are still not built. Muhittin Böcek“We completed and put into service the Meltem Köprülü Junction, which is required on Dumlupınar Boulevard, in 2020. In addition, we prepared the project of 5 sunken crossings on Konyaaltı Atatürk Boulevard. The 4th Stage will be built together with the construction of the Rail System,” he said.
We Host 25 Million
Stating that Antalya is a city with a rapidly increasing population due to its livability as well as being a tourism and agriculture city, Mayor Insect said, “In addition to the resident population of 2.688.004, we host 23,5 million people with 25 million domestic and foreign visitors annually. It is a city preferred by foreigners for citizenship, and the massive immigration from this region after the earthquake affects the traffic negatively. In recent years, the percentage of increase in the number of vehicles in Antalya is above the Türkiye average. In other words, there is one vehicle for every two people. Foreign vehicles and vehicles of our citizens coming from the earthquake zone are not included in these figures. As a result of this, the use of private vehicles has increased, and the foreign vehicles coming to our city have brought an additional burden to the urban traffic. The 15 junctions of the completed 2 km western ring road are still not built. 37 km of the northern ring road, which is projected to be 18 km, has not been built, and the 15 km north-west ring road has not been started yet. Especially the heavy tonnage vehicles using the ring roads without entering the urban traffic will greatly relieve the traffic,” he said.
4th Stage Rail System Ready for Tender
Stating that they completed and put into service in 18, the 3-km 2021rd Stage Rail System between Varsak and Museum Muhittin Böcek“Works on the 18 km 4th stage rail system project between Konyaaltı and Varsak have been completed and the preparations for the construction tender have come to an end. Finally, the 22 km 5th stage rail system project work between Konyaaltı-Lara-Kundu has been completed. In addition, to relieve urban traffic; We have made geometrical arrangements at 70 intersections. We can monitor 40 intersections, 61 of which are smart and 101 are remote controlled, remotely with our traffic control center and make the necessary changes instantly. When the projects are completed, the 4th stage rail system line stretching from Konyaaltı to Varsak is 18 km long; Noting that starting from Sarısu and joining the 3rd Stage on Sakarya Boulevard, Mayor Insect, Mayor Insect, said, “It will go 5.5 km underground from Antalyaspor junction to Zeytinköy junction. This project includes 5 stops, 20 of which are underground, 6 crossings, 14 pedestrian overpasses. In addition, within the scope of the project, the road between Falez Hotel Antalyaspor junction will be taken underground. A new pedestrianized living space will be created between the stadium and the Glass Pyramid.”
The Search for Driver Continues
The President, who also answered the questions of the members of the press, at the meeting where the promotional film of the 4th Stage Rail System Project was also watched. Muhittin Böcek He said that the reason for the driver shortage experienced recently is the high number of drivers who retired with the EYT law. Stating that they are working hard to fill the driver shortage, Mayor Insect added that the search for a driver who is an expert and has a bus license continues.
Transportation should be done by the municipality
Stating that 492 of the 360 buses in Antalya have active license plates and 240 of them are working, Mayor Insect said that he will also hold a meeting with the transportation tradesmen about why this number is low. Emphasizing that the transportation should be done by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Mayor Insect said, “The buses should belong to the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. We must provide the service. I think it is right that the transportation is done by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. I want to realize a first in Turkey. The municipality is obliged to provide this service. You will see together in the coming years, a system that will satisfy both the transporter and the transporter," he said.
Introduced Buses
President Muhittin BöcekAfter the meeting, he toured the city center with the red bus, which will serve within the municipality, together with the members of the press. Later, Mayor Insect, who introduced the buses to the members of the press in front of the Metropolitan Municipality, made a test drive. President Insect, who conveyed his best wishes to the bus drivers, had a group photo taken with the staff, including 11 female drivers.