Günhan Sinar

With summer break nearing its end and students preparing to return to school, parents are facing nail-biting concerns over bus fares, as some companies and institutions are raising costs by over 100 percent, disregarding the 16 percent official hike set by Istanbul Municipality's Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME).

Alarming images circulating on social media have ignited panic among parents in Istanbul as unlicensed school buses, lacking basic safety measures and even proper seating arrangements, are being spotted transporting students in some regions of the city.