Esenler Coach Terminal, Esenler Terminal, Grand Istanbul Coach Terminal () is the central and largest

bus terminus A bus station, bus depot, or bus interchange is a structure where city buses or intercity buses stop to pick up and drop off passengers. A bus station is larger than a bus stop, which is usually simply a place on the roadside, where buses can s ...

for

intercity bus An intercity bus service (North American English) or intercity coach service (British English and Commonwealth English), also called a long-distance, express, over-the-road, commercial, long-haul, or highway bus or coach service, is a public t ...

service in

Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With a population over , it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in th ...

. Since intercity buses are one of the most common modes of travel within Türkiye, the terminus holds an important place for people. Although the terminus is located in

Bayrampaşa Bayrampaşa (pronounced ) is a municipality and district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 9km2 (3.4 sq mi, 2,000 acres, 800 ha) and its population is 275,314 (2022). It is on the European side of the city. The mayor is Hasan Mutlu ( CHP) ...

district, it is named after

Esenler Esenler is a municipality and district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 43 km2, and its population is 445,421 (2022). It is on its European side. Esenler is mainly densely packed, working class residential in the midst of its indust ...

district, which is closer. The multi-story terminal houses 450-500 permanent parking lots for buses and over 1,000 temporary ones. Average total traffic per day is about 15,000 buses. It also has a capacity of 600,000 passengers a day, with around 6000 people employed within the terminal. It was renovated in 2019. It now includes cultural spots like a mini library, a music studio, a theatre. Around one million passengers pass through it every day.

History

1994-1999

In 1980, considerations started to build a new terminus on the European side of Istanbul, since the Topkapı bus terminus was becoming increasingly crowded. In 1987, the construction of the new terminus started. In 1994, it entered service. The structure cost $140 million.

2000s–present

In 2021, the Greater Istanbul Bus Terminal was transferred to

İSPARK İstanbul Otopark İşletmeleri Tic. AŞ (Istanbul Parking Lot Operations Trade S.A), or simply İSPARK, is a company that operates parking lots in Istanbul. Managed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the company provides service in 606 p ...

, a subsidiary of the metropolitan municipality. With the change of the operator of the bus station, a large-scale renovation work was started.

Location

The terminus is situated on the European side of İstanbul, in Bayrampaşa district. It occupies , which makes it the largest bus terminus in southeastern

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

and in Turkey. It is the third largest in the world. The terminus has 324 platforms.

Services

There are bus services from Esenler Bus Station to all parts of Turkey. Bus companies operating in the bus station also have free shuttles throughout Istanbul. Coaches arrive and depart from almost all Turkish cities. There are also coaches that service neighbouring countries and the rest of Europe.

Connections

* Istanbul Metro line M1 (

Yenikapı Yenikapı () is a port and a quarter in Istanbul, Turkey, in the metropolitan district of Fatih on the European side of the Bosphorus, and along the southern shore of the city's historically central peninsula. Yenikapı is notable for the ongoing ...

Istanbul Atatürk Airport Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With a population over , it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in th ...

- Kirazlı) at Otogar metro station * Taxis * City buses * Private busesPrivate buses
/ref> * Most bus companies have shuttle service by their own minibuses () which transport passengers to other parts of

Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...

Criticism

Until the renovation, the bus terminal was criticized for its chaotic and ugly architecture. It had constant bus congestion. The security of the terminus was also a constant worry.

References

External links

Esenler Bus Terminal bus companies
{{Authority control Bayrampaşa Buildings and structures in Istanbul Transport in Istanbul Transport infrastructure completed in 1994 Transit centers in Istanbul Bus stations in Turkey Public transport in Istanbul