History of Minibuses In Turkey
Widespread Use of Minibuses
How did minibuses become important?
Design Features of Karsan Jest Minibuses
History of the minibuses in Turkey dates back to 1929. According to many sources, the emergence of land vehicles takes place in Istanbul in the late 1920s. Even though its authenticity is disputed, an interesting anecdote from this period explains very well the conditions under which minibuses have sprouted. In Istanbul at the beginning of the 1930s, when the Great Depression, which swept the whole world, showed its effects. Taxi drivers, whose number reached 700 at that time, were experiencing loss of customers due to the increase in prices and the decrease in purchasing power. Even the rich have started to take the tram instead of a taxi.
The taxi driver Halit, who takes his customer, a Jewish businessman from Nişantaşı, to his company in Eminönü every day, seemed to be doing well. A daily profit of 80 cents was guaranteed. But in a short time, the business of the businessman, who was Halit’s customer, began to deteriorate and it became difficult to get to and from the company by taxi every day.
Thereupon, the businessman offered Halit the following: “25-30 liras a month is a lot of money. But I found you and four more friends working at the same place. Instead of one, you’ll be carrying five people. In return, we will give you 20 cents more than the hourly rate. This will be the wear and tear of the car. How can it be accepted?” Halit liked that idea, and the minibus system based on the customers traveling on the same route in the same vehicle to divide the fare among themselves emerges.
Widespread Use of Minibuses
The system became widespread and in the 1930s, minibus services between Taksim and Karaköy started for 10 cents per passenger. Especially during the Second World War, when automobile imports came to a standstill, minibuses begin to meet an important transportation need in big cities, they carry passengers at fixed prices by not opening taximeters on certain routes. However, this should be added. The public authority initially tries to combat the use of taxis for minibuses. However, when it is seen that it fills an important gap, laws and regulations are enacted and a legal identity is given to minibus services.
How did minibuses become important?
The main reign of the minibus in Turkey begins in the 1960s-70s. Minibuses were an alternative business model used by taxi drivers with their existing vehicles in the past. Further, large American vehicles and minibuses appeared on the scene in the 1960s. The characteristic of this period in Turkey is the beginning of migration to big cities and squatting. The increasing urban population and the emergence of new districts on the outskirts of the city create an unprecedented demand for transportation. This demand, which public transportation systems are insufficient to meet, spreads the minibus and reveals its sub-categories.
Minibuses, consists of old and usually large American station wagons, serve mostly in city centers. On the other hand, minibus dolmuşs operate between the city center and the surrounding shantytowns. Undoubtedly, minibuses are more convenient to bring high numbers of passengers to and from these surrounding districts, where there is highway infrastructure. For this very reason, minibus dolmuşs are the symbol of the slum culture.
Design Features of Karsan Jest Minibuses
Karsan Jest brand minibuses, dominates almost the entire minibus park on certain lines today. This vehicle is in great demand with its body. The most important feature is that it has a low floor and bus-type ramp that provides barrier-free access. This feature simplifies the boarding and boarding process for people with disabilities and all passengers. In addition it eliminates accidents that result in tripping and falling from time to time. The low floor feature also makes standing trips more comfortable.
