Actor and screenwriter Levent Kazak addressed the issue of electric minibuses on the islands in an open letter addressed to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality President Ekrem Imamoglu. Kazak, who is also an island resident, demanded that Imamoglu be involved in the process. “There is a lot of misinformation flying around and the atmosphere reeks of provocation,” he said in the letter, which he wrote on his virtual media account.
The rest of Kazak’s letter included the following statement:
“Buyukada is a place with nature, forests, walking and cycling paths, rich architecture, where you can go on long journeys through history, and every day we receive tourists, which is 4-5 times the population, that is, 70-80 people. Especially in the summer, we have big problems.” After the departure of the horse-drawn carriages, IMM tries to solve the problem with electric cars, but when the demand increases by 10-15 times during the summer, they are powerless and life is locked down. With the increase in tourists, islanders who want to return home or work have to wait in lines for 2-3 hours every day. This problem also applies to sea routes. On weekends and especially on holidays, boats are free, so islanders cannot get in and out with the crowds that come to the island to take a breather. Why do islanders not accept IMM’s solution, can they not accept it? The biggest reason is that what is presented as a solution is not a solution. These huge minibuses cannot get on the road, and two minibuses cannot pass side by side. They are against the nature of things and do not fit into the way described above. It is not happening. All pedestrians and bicycles must be pushed off the road during traffic. The capacity is not the size, but the same as the capacity of the minibuses currently in operation, both of which carry 13 people. No change. But in terms of volume, it is exactly three times larger. The islands have become pedestrian-only and protected areas. Tourism-centered solutions are not the only correct ones, but we need to take into account the lives and thoughts of the islanders and move forward while preserving the history, culture and natural fabric of the islands. Destroying the ecosystem cannot surpass the living culture of the islands. Such misunderstandings and the terrible crisis management policies implemented by the IETT must be stopped immediately. If people facing the problem come together to seek a solution, it will have a positive impact on the future of not only the islands but the entire country. “I ask that the islands set an example in this regard, and that you all personally participate in the process and take the initiative to solve this problem through dialogue.”
“Everything I wanted to know about the island protests but was afraid to ask!”
Dear @ekrem_imamoglu And an open letter to my dear citizens.
Regarding the giant minibus issue that has been making headlines recently, as an island resident, I feel like there is not enough communication between the public and the facility…
— Levent Kazak (@levent_kazak) June 18, 2024
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