Istanbul Prepares for the 2026–2027 School Year

Istanbul authorities have prepared a comprehensive transport and traffic plan ahead of the start of the 2026–2027 school year, including free public transport on the first school day and additional services to reduce congestion across the city.

The measures were presented at a meeting of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Coordination Center, known as UKOME, chaired by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Pelin Alpkökin at the Disaster Coordination Center.

The new school year will begin on September 14. According to estimates from the authorities, around 18,000 school buses will operate on Istanbul’s roads, transporting approximately 300,000 students.

Free public transport on September 14

Under the plan, public transport services included in the integrated fare system will operate free of charge on September 14 from 6:00 to 16:00.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality also plans to add 3,665 additional services across IETT, Metrobus and Metro Istanbul routes to increase public transport capacity.

Authorities expect the additional services to attract approximately 790,830 passengers to public transport and reduce the number of cars on Istanbul’s roads by around 674,809.

Road safety measures around schools

Various road and infrastructure works will be carried out around schools to improve traffic safety.

Maintenance, repair, cleaning and traffic light programming works that began in January are scheduled to be completed before schools reopen. Pedestrian crossing signs near schools will also be repaired and renewed before the start of the school year.

For one week, signs reading “I am a careful driver” will be placed on traffic light poles across the city.

Increased inspections of school buses

Authorities will increase inspections of school buses and their drivers.

Schools will provide student addresses and contact information to help determine school bus routes. Drivers and accompanying personnel will also receive information about the relevant regulations.

Documents authorizing drivers to operate public transport vehicles will be checked through the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality system.

Authorities will also monitor school buses to ensure that they do not exceed their permitted capacity and that students are dropped off only at designated locations.

Thousands of police and municipal officers deployed

The Istanbul Police Department plans to deploy 1,496 teams and 3,151 officers across 808 locations.

In addition, 569 teams from child protection units, 47 mobile school teams and another 331 additional teams will operate during the start of the school year.

A further 866 officers will be assigned to 478 locations considered particularly important for road safety. These resources will include 309 teams, 177 motorcycle officers and 39 foot patrols.

To respond to traffic accidents involving property damage, 33 tow trucks will be available.

Another 10 teams will be stationed at key intersections near schools, while 100 motorcycle patrols will operate around school entrances and surrounding areas.

Gendarmerie and municipal police measures

The Istanbul Regional Gendarmerie Command will carry out security, public order and traffic safety measures around schools in areas under its responsibility. Officers will also inspect school buses and their drivers.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Police Department will assign 231 officers in 111 teams to schools.

Eight tow trucks will be stationed at the busiest intersections, while traffic inspections and traffic control will be carried out during the morning and evening rush hours.

Roadworks to be limited during the first school week

Road and infrastructure works will be suspended during the first week of school wherever possible. Ongoing projects are expected to be completed in advance.

Materials and other objects that could obstruct traffic will be removed from major roads, while damaged infrastructure will be repaired as quickly as possible.

Urgent works that cannot be postponed will be carried out between 22:00 and 5:00. Emergency response teams will remain ready to operate around the clock.

Traffic monitoring across Istanbul

Representatives of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and institutions involved in the education system will meet at the Traffic Management Center and the Disaster Coordination Center from 7:00 during the first three days of the school year.

Traffic cameras across Istanbul will be used to monitor road conditions and identify areas where congestion develops. This will allow authorities to respond more quickly to traffic problems.

Important: Istanbul residents should expect heavier traffic around schools and on major roads when the new school year begins on September 14.