Important information about intercity “Bus Travel” services in Turkey
Looking at several messages about bus travel services on Social Media such as Facebook (mainly) one can notice there are quite many foreign guests using such services between destinations in Turkey. With this in mind we believe it would be a good idea to share some info about these services so our foreign friends could make use of it in case they would prefer to travel this way in this country.
Until several years ago we had VARAN TURIZM, one of the most reputable companies (in Turkey that is) which provided highest quality services. In fact, people (and mostly elite) used to say the service was even better than that on Turkish Airlines.
The second best company was ULUSOY (owned by Ulusoy Holding) and they always tried to catch up with Varan, which contributed to upgrading their service quality.
Most buses were owned by the company and consequently the personnel were on the payroll serving with high quality and discipline.
When the bus is owned by the company the personnel have to “behave themselves” in compliance with the rules of the company – which makes hell of a lot of difference. In fact we have heard about many cases where the driver (owner of the rented bus) asks the passenger to get off at any place the driver may want. Don’t think this is an exaggeration. As this means, the guy thinks “Well this is my bus, I am the owner I can do what I wish” – which he would not be able to do if the guy were on the payroll. Unfortunately, today many companies hire buses together with the owner as driver (on top of the vehicles they own).
Well, unluckily above mentioned companies have both closed down and among the remaining ones PAMUKKALE and especially ANADOLU Turizm (with headquarters in Uşak) seem to have a better reputation.
Today, KAMIL KOC could be an alternative as well. We know a big European company has just acquired it – which is definitely good news for the people to use the service.
The author of these lines is not much informed about the companies in Konya and many other cities – But he believes there are good companies, there as well (at least some).
The author of these lines would not personally prefer Metro Tourism (which is very popular as well) to put his beloved ones on the buses of this company – for certain reasons apparently.
