Hello all,

           Having a baby and pushchair and bags is enough for any sort of travel but couple that with having to climb three flights of stairs on several Metro Bus stations including Mecidiyeköy and Avcılar you can be excused the slight lack of consideration for people who have to travel on the buses in Istanbul.  My wife was very upset when we arrived last weekend at Mecidiyeköy metro bus station to find no lift no escalator or any access for the disabled yet a brand new cafe had been built at this metro station.

I had to carry heavy bags and a pushchair up three flights of stairs to reach our bus, my wife carrying our baby, now one of us alone would have struggled for sure.  What about a wheelchair user no chance so as my wife says they do not travel on public transport.

In other countries, you can´t expect them to be the same as yours. I get so frustrated when I hear people getting angry and upset of silly things(like you did).

 Appreciate the small things in life and you will live.

I disagree with this being called "silly". This has nothing to do with one country or another. I think there should be lifts in public transport everywhere. Not because of "culture" but because EVERY country has disabled people. I think people in weelchairs should have the freedom to travel with the metro too. It should be made easier for them to get around. In the Turkish town where I used to live, all the sidewalks had a ramp-style ending, so that people with weelchairs could get around the town more easily. So it´s not a Turkish thing to not think of people with disabilities.

Definately not "silly" to expect that public transportation be able to accomodate "the public."  which in most countries around the world include, the handicapped and children.  When I was in Turkey in March, I encountered many of the same problems, but what I did find was many helpful and friendly people who assisted me if they saw me struggling.  This is completely different that what happens in the States.  You could have a baby, a carriage, bags of groceries and be struggling to do something, and almost nobody would stop and help you. 

On one hand, you (not necessarily Elisabeth) delete my post, on the other, you yourselves state what was already stated in my deleted post!

 If you posted something in this thread, (deleted or not) I can not see it.

Is it so wrong that Turkey tries to feed its people instead of making ´better´ transportation for the whinny tourists who don’t want to do a little arm work? Hmm…I wonder if they get a laugh out of it too? Stop complaining you’re lucky to have transportation in the first place. Sorry the world doesn´t revolve around you.

 Seems it does not revolve around Turkish disabled citizens either. Shame they dont have the same right to access it as everyone else. Or don´t you care about this

You are lucky that you have right and are allowed to carry your babby and your baby carriage! I would feel very lucky with the public transportation here if I had pets, as I would certainly be allowed to travel with them. You would feel unlucky with your pets there in Turkey. Here, in the very heart of the supposedly civilization, I won´t soon be allowed to carry my child and his carriage at all.

Which one is a warmer welcome?

Sorry but where is there and where is here. I don´t really understand what you are trying to say

´there´ is Turkey, and ´here´ is the very heart of the civilization!

 hmm ok great well now its so much clearer ...not

Actually, Loveprague LIVES in Istanbul.  His wife is a native Turk.  We are not talking about tourists.  

I read Richard´s post as a comment (or whinge if you prefer) on the lack of facilities for people with mobility problems and also pram users. Having often helped ladies with prams and shopping up and down stairways I appreciate the difficulties a lone parent can experience.

Unfortunately world-wide there are problems with infrastructure for helping less mobile public transport users. Istanbul is not alone here. Sadly many disabled people have to rely on public transport. Thankfully some of Istanbul´s public transport is good for access, especially the newer systems.

 I have a disabled friend who lives in England, thankfully he has a car that is specially designed for car travel and there are some facilities for more travel options for disabled people, and the buses have ramps to allow other passengers (disabled and parents) to travel around.

I would think in 2010 now we could have a general thought about disabled people and parents with children when designers plan their constructions.  I am not having a moan merely trying to think of other people who have to travel on public transport.

 Thank you, yes too many people do not either think or care for the other less mobilised and parents with young babies who also have to travel and have no car in their household.  I am pleased to see where you used to live had some facilities for travel for the disabled

Thank you Elisabeth, I know it is not possible to have access for disabled people everywhere on public transport but it being 2010 surely their should be more planning when constructing transport access.

Here in Turkey people do help and they are very caring, I have also encountered this many times

 First of all, I live in Istanbul so I think I am 100% certain I cannot be called a tourist? and you talking about arm work my wife had to carry our one year old up three flights of stairs she nearly missed her step, while I was carrying several bags and the pushchair.  This is 2010 public transport has been around alot longer to accomodate people who have no transport of their own.

One day have a stop to think 30 seconds how life is like for a disabled person, I certainly do and appreciate how they need to travel and get about and feel freedom myself and you do everyday.

I am soon to go to visit the U.K. and yes a tourist at that? 

Thanks Elisabeth, if only people took a few minutes to actually read my profile and see that I am not actually a tourist anymore here in Istanbul.  Hope you are well?

Thanks Henry, I am just trying to think of other people who have to travel, I have always appreciated what lone parents and other parents have to manage after becoming a parent for the first time just one year ago.

I just think more consideration should be given to less fortunate and able bodied travellers, I was not having a moan as one T.C. member clearly thought

Loveprague,

You certainly have a point; we can´t claim people with disabilities are offered decent solutions throughout the country. Nonetheless, some of the facilities you mentioned such as specially designed cars for disabled people also exist in Turkey. The government offers considerable financial support to make them more affordable.

As for the subway station at Mecidiyeköy, check out the link (Turkish) below, there it says disabled people are provided with an exclusive entry complete with a dedicated lift and other aids.

http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/default.asp?menu_id=4&sayfa_id=3

Large scale projects like this one go through many stages of approval. Therefore, such obvious requirements can hardly be neglected. There are top notch companies routinely involving in massive constructions. I would be surprized if anyone could spot a mistake or an omission after having walked through it just a couple of times. Tens of thousands of trained eyes must have done this before us.

I can´t be in your shoes of course but I would consider stopping a taxi before targeting the entire subway system.