No to Privatization from the Union of Peninsula City Councils!!!
PRESS RELEASE
In the statement made by the city councils, it was emphasized that there will be serious increases in tolls if the highway is transferred to the private sector. This situation is not only about individual transportation; It was stated that it will directly affect peninsula tourism, transportation of employees and trade costs.
The statement also stated that transportation is a basic public service and that the highway should remain under public control.
“Izmir–Çeşme Highway cannot be privatized”
In the press release read by Çeşme City Council President Ahmet Güler, the privatization plan was opposed in harsh terms.
In the statement, it was reminded that the highway was built with public taxes and the following opinions were included:
“Even though it is said that it is 'operation transfer, not sale', this is actually privatization, because this road will no longer be operated for the public benefit, but for company profit. It is a clear injustice to allow citizens to use a road built with public money again.
İZMİR-ÇEŞME HIGHWAY CANNOT BE PRIVATIZED
Roads Built with Public Money Cannot Be Transferred to Companies
A very serious plan has been talked about in Turkey lately. Transferring the operating rights of bridges and some highways in Istanbul to private companies has been brought to the agenda. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu also announced in his statement that the operating rights of the İzmir-Çeşme and İzmir-Aydın highways will be transferred to the private sector for a certain period of time. This plan also includes the Izmir - Çeşme Highway.
The authorities are trying to alleviate the issue by saying "it is not a sale, but a business transfer". But words do not change reality. The operation of a highway by a private company for 25 years is de facto privatization. Because that road will no longer be operated for the public benefit, but for company profit.
This Road Was Already Built With Public Money
İzmir – Çeşme Highway is one of the first highways of Turkey. The people of this country paid 630 million dollars for this highway, which was built between 1990 and 1996.
This money; According to data, 596 million dollars of revenue was generated from highways and bridges in 2025. This corresponds to billions of dollars of public revenue in 25 years. If the highways remain public, this income returns to the public; Transferring it to the private sector means transferring public resources.
Now turning to the same citizens again and saying: "This road will now be operated by a private company and you will use it more expensively" is not an economic decision, but a clear social injustice.
It's Not Just a Road Issue
Izmir – Çeşme Highway is not just a transportation line. This road is also the main artery of the Izmir Peninsula.
This peninsula; It consists of Güzelbahçe, Urla, Karaburun, Çeşme and Seferihisar districts.
An important part of İzmir's tourism, agriculture, fishing and local economy is shaped in this region.
Educational institutions in the region; Students and employees studying at Izmir Institute of Technology and Technopark Izmir use this highway.
This road;
• Peninsula, Çeşme, Urla, Karaburun, It is the most important transportation artery of Seferihisar tourism.
• Urla's gastronomy and agricultural economy. is not; It means that life is getting more expensive.
So the issue is not just a highway.
The issue is the economic and social future of the Izmir Peninsula.
Public Goods Cannot Be Sacrificed
Many public assets have been privatized in Turkey in recent years. It was said every time that "productivity will increase".
But the result is obvious. Prices rose and citizens had to pay more.
Now the same model is wanted to be applied for bridges and highways.
Transferring public infrastructure to companies is a short-term money-making policy. However, the public will pay the price for this for 25 years.
Highways and bridges are not commercial investments, but public infrastructure.
The duty of the state is not to transfer this infrastructure, but to facilitate citizens' access.
Izmir Peninsula Will Not Stay Silent About This
For this reason, as city councils, non-governmental organizations and citizens in the Izmir Peninsula, we say it very clearly:
We are against the transfer of the operation of the Izmir - Çeşme Highway to private companies.
This road;
• The people of Güzelbahçe
• The people of Urla
• The people of Karaburun
• The people of Çeşme
• It is the
common property of the people of Seferihisar.
It is unacceptable to transfer a road built with public taxes to private companies, even temporarily.
This meeting is;
• not a protest
• not a political demonstration
it is a movement to defend public rights.
Because the roads of a country are the common existence of that country's citizens.
Izmir – Çeşme Highway cannot be privatized.
Its operation cannot be transferred.
The people's way should remain with the people.
SIGNATURE
Çeşme City Council
Urla City Council
Karaburun City Council
Seferihisar City Council
Güzelbahçe City Council