Cessation of car ferries across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, with sea shuttles taking their place as the new transportation method.
In a significant change to Istanbul's transportation infrastructure, the Istinye-Cubuklu ferry line has been replaced by smaller passenger sea shuttles, known as "deniz dolmuş," after eight years of service [1]. This shift aims to address financial issues and ease road congestion on the heavily used bridges.
The retired car ferry service, which offered daily transportation options for thousands of drivers seeking an alternative to bridge traffic with 46 round trips on weekdays, ended due to financial unsustainability as operational costs exceeded revenue [1].
These new sea shuttles maintain regular crossings across the Bosphorus between Istinye (European side) and Cubuklu (Asian side), focusing on passenger transport only [1]. To support commuters adapting to this change, Istanbul’s municipal bus service (IETT) has introduced extra bus lines to both ferry terminals, and a "Park and Continue" system has been implemented at Cubuklu Pier. This system allows drivers to park their cars and switch to public transportation for the remainder of their journey, helping ease road congestion on the Bosphorus bridges [1].
The "Park and Continue" system is a new facility available at Cubuklu Pier to encourage the use of public transport. The "deniz dolmuş" boats, on the other hand, are not equipped to carry vehicles but are expected to maintain regular crossings between Istinye and Cubuklu [1].
The impact on commuters is a mixed adjustment: while vehicle transport across the Bosphorus by ferry is no longer available on this route, passengers benefit from more frequent passenger boat services combined with integrated land transport options, potentially smoothing traffic flow and reducing road congestion. However, those needing vehicle transport must find alternative routes or methods, possibly affecting convenience for drivers who previously relied on the ferry for their cars [1].
The Beykoz terminal remains operational for passenger ferries, and it is connected with other transport options including buses and dolmuş (shared minibuses), facilitating continued mobility in the area despite the ferry service changes [2].
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's City Lines announced the closure of the Istinye-Cubuklu ferry line, signaling a move towards more cost-effective and road-congestion-reducing solutions [3]. The new public transport options are aimed at supporting commuters using the sea shuttles, ensuring a smooth transition for Istanbul residents.
References: 1. Istanbul's Istinye-Cubuklu Ferry Line Replaced by Sea Shuttles 2. Istanbul's Transportation Upgrades: The End of Car Ferries and the Rise of Sea Shuttles 3. Istanbul's Istinye-Cubuklu Ferry Line Closure Aims to Ease Road Congestion
In light of Istanbul's Istinye-Cubuklu Ferry Line closure aimed at easing road congestion, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has introduced the "Park and Continue" system at Cubuklu Pier to support commuters switching from vehicle transport to public transportation [3]. Additionally, the new passenger sea shuttles, called "deniz dolmuş," maintain regular crossings between Istinye and Cubuklu, focusing solely on passenger transport [1].
