The dolmus, Turkey's shared van and bus system, serves as a low-cost and effective compliment to Turkey's fledgling mass transit networks.

The Dolmus

As in other industries, transportation agencies around the world are discovering that specialization breeds efficiency and are making improvements to their systems to reflect that ideology.  Many are using small buses or vans to compliment fixed routes and help provide accessibility to people otherwise stuck at home or forced to drive. 

The Turkish dolmus (DOLE-moosh) is a small bus that travels on a fixed route, but can stop anywhere along the route to drop off or pick up passengers.  The dolmus is a fixture throughout Turkey, as a way to provide accessible transit options and promote alternatives to driving. Stops are made “at request,” with pedestrians often flagging down passing drivers. This allows the dolmus to provide point-to-point service for passengers on any given route.  In Istanbul, for example, the dolmus fleet operates on over 600 lines and transports passengers on a fleet of almost 19,000 vehicles. While fees are typically higher than those on a fixed bus route, they are considerably lower than the price of a private taxi. Though the system is privately owned and operated, the local government often provides small terminals, park-n-ride facilities, or reserved waiting lanes for the dolmus in many city centers. 

Private dolmus-like systems operate around the world -- in places as diverse as Israel, Algeria, Ghana, and Russia.  And while Chicagoland’s regional transit system is very good at getting people to and from downtown Chicago, it is not nearly as efficient at providing service to and from other residential, employment and recreational centers.  As the region pursues strategies to improve accessibility and reduce congestion, public-private partnerships like the dolmus – which compliment the existing mass transit network -- should be considered as part of a region-wide, long-term transportation plan.   

Photo Courtesy of Benjamin Gage

For additional information:

• Transportation Master Plan of Istanbul – City of Istanbul Transportation Master Plan Analytical Research and Model Calibration
• How the Dolmus Works – YouTube Video Demonstration

NEWS 

Local News

Union Station likely to get new waiting area for intercity bus services – Chicago Tribune “In an attempt to east traffic congestion around Union Station, a City Council committee voted Monday to move the passenger drop-off and pickup area for intercity bus services, including Megabus.” 

Chicago cops nab 101 drivers in pedestrian sting – Chicago Sun-Times “Chicago police stopped 101 drivers Monday who ignored an undercover police officer trying to cross a Northwest Side street in an effort to make streets safer for pedestrians.” 

Chicago Olympic official urges transportation improvements – Chicago Tribune “A senior Chicago 2016 bid committee official said Thursday transportation improvements would be critical to the city’s hopes to be chosen Olympic Games host.” 

Another CTA derailment raises concerns about system’s safety – Chicago Tribune  “In Chicago, officials make no secret that fixing the nation’s second-largest transportation system will be tremendously expensive.” 

Benefits of buses – Crain’s Chicago “Unlike bus stops that barely register a blip on city streets, bus rapid transit systems have street-level stations that can anchor storefronts, causing positive ripple effects for adjacent neighborhoods.” 

Chicago tries to ease traffic mess around train stations – Chicago Tribune “Reconfiguring some one-way streets near downtown Chicago’s commuter rail stations to handle two-way traffic and restricting access to curb lanes where taxicabs, buses and cars compete for space are key pieces of a new city study.” 

World News

House overwhelmingly passes Amtrak funding bill – NPR “A nearly $15 billion Amtrak bill passed the House Wednesday as lawmakers rallied around an alternative for travelers saddled with soaring gas prices.” 

Highland Park considers plan to make Dallas drivers pay to use stretch of Mockingbird – Dallas Morning News “A plan is far from developed, but if it comes to pass, transportation experts say the stretch of Mockingbird between Hillcrest Avenue and Dallas North Tollway could become the first tolled surface street in the country.” 

Hacks Feel Gas Pains – New York Post “In a one-day study of the driving patterns of more than 10,000 cabs, conducted May 8, the TLC also found most drivers earn about $14.50 an hour, but take home $17.45 if they use hybrid cars.” 

Eight reasons you’ll rejoice when we hit $8-a-gallon gasoline – MarketWatch “Consider the world of good that would come of pricing crude oil and gasoline at levels that would strain our finances as much as they’re straining international relations and the planet’s long-term health.” 

The Huge Hybrid – a New Twist on SUV’s Finds Few Takers – New York Times  “Hybrid or not, large SUV’s are fading fast in a market that is shifting quickly to smaller cars and crossovers, SUV-like vehicles built on a car chassis.” 

Nebraska among states balking at road-work earmarks – Omaha World-Herald  “States must kick in 20 percent matching funds, which some roads officials say they don’t have and don’t want to spend because they view Congress’ pet projects as ‘low priority’ on their rankings of road-building needs.” 

Apple Drivers Say ‘No Tanks’ To $5 a Gallon – New York Post “The study found that in the Apple, 10 percent said they would switch to public transit and carpooling when gasoline reached $3.50 a gallon, 18.5 percent at $4 and 14.1 percent at $4.50.” 

Resources

• Pedestrian Road Safety Audit Guidelines – U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
• Americans Prefer to Spend More on Mass Transit and Highway Maintenance, Less on New Roads – Smart Growth America & National Association of Realtors

Contact Information

For comments, suggestions or submissions, please contact Michael McLaughlin, Director of Regional Policy and Transportation, at mmclaughlin@metroplanning.org or 312-863-6022.