16 March 2010 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL
The Ankara Consumer Rights Association (THD) has filed a lawsuit seeking to reinstate a recently annulled ruling that had returned public transport fares to 2003 levels.
The association filed the case at the Ankara 16th Administrative Court after an Ankara court overturned a court decision issued by the Ankara 2nd Administrative Court which last week rolled back bus fares to rates in effect in 2003. The Ankara 2nd Administrative Court ruling had reduced the TL 1.85 fare for buses and metro lines to Kr 90. Student fares dropped from TL 1.50 to Kr 60. The court rulings had also changed dolmuş rates, slashing the TL 1.85 fare for short rides to Kr 90 and the TL 2.20 fare for longer distances to TL 1.Ankara THD Chairman Turhan Çakar told the Anatolia news agency that the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality offers the most expensive transportation service in Turkey. Arguing that Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek supports overpriced fares, Çakar said a boycott is in the works, adding, “We will call on Ankara residents to boycott the ruling by not using public transportation.” Although March 15 is Consumer Rights Day, Çakar said the Ankara THD could not celebrate but instead continues to advocate for consumer rights.
