The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is implementing an important project in line with its vision of keeping the city’s historical identity alive. With the “Nostalgic Izmir Stops” project carried out by the ESHOT General Directorate, the original stop design of the period, which was brought to the city transportation arteries by the Izmir Municipality in the late 1930s, is being reinterpreted with modern technology and brought to the city. This meaningful initiative aims to establish an aesthetic and functional bridge between Izmir’s rich historical memory and the needs of today’s urban life. With this innovative application, ESHOT demonstrates an exemplary approach by both pioneering technological developments in urban public transportation and protecting social and cultural values. The renewed nostalgic stops will provide waiting areas that carry traces of the past but offer modern comfort to the people of Izmir and local and foreign guests visiting the city.
The First Nostalgic Stop Meets Its History
In the first phase of the project, a total of four nostalgic stops will be designed at different points in Izmir. The first of these special stops will be built in Turan Güneş Park (in front of Nevvar Salih İşgören Alsancak State Hospital) on Talatpaşa Boulevard in Alsancak Neighborhood of Konak district, where the first modern stop built by Izmir Municipality in the late 1930s is also located, as if to emphasize the historical importance of the project. This meaningful location choice is a tribute to the roots of the project.
Construction work on the first nostalgic stop May 5 2025 will start on . During the works, the existing closed bus stop will be temporarily removed and a suitable temporary stop will be positioned for passengers. Metropolitan Municipality officials particularly emphasized that all necessary precautions will be taken to prevent any disruption in the transportation flow and pedestrian crossings during the construction process and that no intervention will be made to the existing green areas and trees.
Comfortable Waiting Areas with Air Conditioning
Designed by taking into account Izmir’s unique climate conditions, Nostalgic Izmir Bus Stops aim to provide passengers with a comfortable waiting environment in all seasons. In line with this, two high-efficiency inverter air conditioners will be installed inside the stops. Thanks to these air conditioners, a cool and spacious environment will be provided in the summer months, while a warm and protected waiting area will be created in the winter months. In order to contribute to maintaining the temperature inside the stop, two air curtains will be installed at the door entrances. In this way, both energy efficiency will be supported and citizens waiting at the stop will be minimally affected by adverse weather conditions.
Environmentally Sensitive and Accessible Design
The “Nostalgic Izmir Stops” project, meticulously prepared by ESHOT, not only prioritizes passenger comfort, but also draws attention with its environmentally friendly features. The energy needs of the stops will be met with an environmentally sensitive approach through Solar Energy Systems (GES) panels to be placed on their roofs. In this way, the stops will contribute to the reduction of carbon footprint by producing their own energy.
ESHOT, which sets an example with its successful projects on “accessibility”, has made a comprehensive accessibility plan by considering the needs of disabled citizens in nostalgic stops. The new stops will have a special infrastructure where two battery-powered disabled vehicles can be charged. Thanks to this important feature, individuals with special needs will be able to meet their transportation needs more independently and easily. In addition, in accordance with the technological requirements of the age, the stops will also have the necessary infrastructure and sockets for charging mobile phones, which will allow passengers to continue their communication without interruption.
Instant Bus Tracking and Information
The people of Izmir, who will wait comfortably at the bus stops without being affected by harsh weather conditions, will also be able to easily access instant information via modern LED screens inside the bus stops. These screens will include important information such as route information, estimated arrival times and current locations of the expected buses. In this way, passengers will be able to manage their waiting times more efficiently and plan their trips better by following when their buses will arrive. This technological integration is one of the best examples of nostalgic design meeting a modern touch.
