Incirlik taxis travel to Alley and beyond

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Incirlik members can now venture off base and are no longer limited to routes within the installation gates when traveling by base taxi.
 
Recently, Incirlik taxi drivers were approved to exit and reenter the south gate, which abuts the Alley shops and restaurants, as long as the passengers remain the same. This change was implemented as a solution to the limited parking in Incirlik Village near Ataturk Boulevard. 

According to the Incirlik Anti Terrorism Force Protection office, parking personal and government vehicles along the main street of Ataturk Boulevard is a direct violation of ATFP directive 07-10. This measure was added to the directive for safety and force protection, as well as, providing a response to a request from the local Jandarma commander. 

By allowing base taxis to enter and exit the base, Incirlik members' shopping experiences have been made more convenient and they can use the taxis to transport purchases with ease from off-base establishments to an on-base residence. 

"Base cabs can transport a total of four people at a time," said Nuri Paulan, Incirlik Taxi driver. "We are here to serve the customer and will wait about 10 to 20 minutes in the Alley while customers shop and load things like carpets or furniture." 

Taxi service is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week on and off base to include locations past the Alley and outside of Incirlik Village. However, base members must be aware that the taxis are only authorized to pickup customers on base, not off base.
"If you want the taxis to go all the way to Istanbul, we'll take you," said Mr. Paulan. "If you want to shop at M-1, we drive there also." 

Taxi rates differ depending on the distance and time of service provided by the driver. On a typical trip to the M-1 mall in Adana, Mr. Paulan said customers will be charged about $25 one-way and tips are always accepted. 

Team Incirlik members that choose to travel by other means than taxi on and off base are reminded that periodic checks of parked cars along the main thoroughfare, commonly known as the Alley, are conducted and the license plate numbers of violaters are documented, appear in the security forces blotter and are reported to the violator's commander. This prohibition also includes rental vehicles and U.S. privately owned vehicles. 

To have a taxi pick you up anywhere on base, call 676-TAXI.