‘Ban on public transport without offering an alternative is a violation of rights’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The Public Health Board of İstanbul has announced that the citizens aged over 65 and under 20 will be barred from using public transport starting from January 15 as part of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) measures.

Working for "child-friendly cities," the City Detective (Şehir Dedektifi) initiative has released a statement about the issue:

"With the decision of the Provincial Public Health Board, the ones aged over 65 and under 20 have been banned from using public transportation in İstanbul starting from January 15, 2021. It is a decision that hinders the mobility of a large population living in the city.

"What we need is not an age/use restriction, the criteria of which are not announced, but a structural transformation for a healthy and accessible public transport system focusing on the needs of different age groups.

"Like healthcare and education, public transport is a very important service that enables access to basic rights.

"Giving such a decision without developing an alternative as to how the individuals falling within the scope of this restriction can access these rights for the same charge is a serious violation of rights.

"Even before the pandemic, the intracity travel was an area riddled with structural problems and requiring a replanning with a new mindset. Instead of making this transformation during the pandemic, we are multiplying the problems with bans and bringing about new violations of rights."

In a message shared on the social media account of "İstanbulkart" (public transportation card), it was briefly said:

"In compliance with the decision of the Public Health Board of the İstanbul Governor's Office, all citizens aged over 65 and under 20 have been barred from using public transportation as of January 15, 2021."

(AÖ/SD)