Millions across Türkiye hit roads for Eid holiday

As Türkiye braces for an unprecedented surge in holiday travel, with an estimated 30 to 35 million people expected to traverse the nation's roads, skies, and railways during the nine-day Ramadan holiday festivities, the government has announced comprehensive measures to ensure safe and efficient journeys for its citizens.

During the nine-day Ramadan holiday period in Türkiye, Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu anticipates that between 30 to 35 million citizens will travel across the country. To accommodate this surge in travel, the ministry has taken extensive measures across land, air and rail transportation networks to ease travel and protect passengers. Uraloğlu announced increased inspections and additional services to prevent any traffic incidents and added, "During this holiday as well, bridges and highways under the management of the General Directorate of Highways will be free of charge for nine days from Saturday morning until the end of the holiday, by the decision of our president."

Highlighting the railway sector, Uraloğlu noted significant enhancements such as adding Pullman and sleeping cars to major regional trains like the Izmir Blue Express and Eastern Express to increase the seating capacity by 15,200 across mainline and regional trains, offering an extra 33,000 seats throughout the holiday period. In response to the expected passenger influx, additional bus services have been authorized, with strict penalties for unauthorized transport activities, including pirate transport, operating without a permit, picking up or dropping off passengers in non-designated areas and overcharging for tickets.

Minister Uraloğlu, noting that they have taken measures to ensure that citizens can travel in peace across Türkiye's 68,680...