Otobüsü

Otobüsü is the Turkish word for bus, used in its accusative form to mean “the bus” in sentences where the bus is the object. The base noun otobüs means bus and is widely used to refer to vehicles designed for public or private mass transit on roads.

Etymology and usage: The Turkish term otobüs derives from European forms such as autobus, itself based on auto (self) and omnibus. The modern Turkish word otobüs appears in the early 20th century and has become standard for road-going passenger buses used in urban and intercity transport.

Types and design: Buses are designed to carry large numbers of passengers along fixed routes. Common configurations include standard single-decker buses, low-floor models for easier accessibility, and articulated (uzatma) buses for higher capacity. Double-decker options exist but are less common in some markets. Urban buses typically range from about 8 to 12 meters in length, while articulated versions can reach around 18 meters or more; intercity coaches are longer and emphasize comfort for longer journeys. Fare collection often uses tickets or electronic cards, and routes are planned to balance frequency, coverage, and travel times.

In Turkey: Urban bus fleets are operated by municipal authorities in major cities, such as Istanbul (IETT), Ankara (EGO), and İzmir (ESHOT). There is a growing emphasis on accessibility and environmental performance, with increasing use of low-floor, hybrid, natural gas, and electric buses in larger cities. Bus services complement tram and metro networks, serving neighborhoods and corridors not directly connected by rail.