Istanbul Now Has “Botanic Buses”

Departing with the idea of “creating more green space”, Istanbul’s Public Transport Authorities (İETT) announced that it would launch a line with a “botanic bus” - a vehicle with various plants on its top. 

The “botobüs”, as coined by İETT, will start running in Number 87 Edirnekapı-Taksim Line. 

“The plants on Botobüs will make photosynthesis and reduce the carbon emissions. At the same time, the roof will not be exposed to sunlight directly, so it will save energy and enhance air conditioner performance. The plants will also be irrigated by the left over water from the air conditioner,” İETT said in a statement. 

“The plants we selected can survive winter and summer conditions. This way, Istanbulites will enjoy their bus rides both in an aesthetic and environment-friendly manner.”

Similar project in Spain

Marc Granen, an artist from Spain, is designing green space on several vehicles within a project called PhytoKinetic.

One of the busses redesigned by Granen operates as a tourist bus in Girona, Barcelona. (ÇT/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.