Mavi Boncuk | Classic Renault-Scemia, Bussing and Leyland fleets which served Istanbulites for generations are returning to the historic peninsula of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city.
![]()
pictured Leyland, Bussing, Renault Scemia
Renault-Scemia
The first Renault-Scemia buses were purchased from France and arrived in Istanbul in 1926, only three years after the Turkish War of Independence to service the hilly districts in Istanbul where it was harder for tramvays/streetcars/tramways reach. One of four buses started to service the Beyazit-Taksim route in 1927 and the other three later started to operate on Beyazit-Bakircilar-Fuatpasa-Mercan-Fincancilar-Sultanhamam-Eski Postane (Old Post office)-Eminonu route which later extended to Karakoy. The first four buses were and started by assisting the Tramway Company which had been in operation in Istanbul since 1871. Bağlarbaşı warehouse, previously used as a tramway hangar, turned into a garage for the maintenance and repair services of the buses in 1928. With a seat capacity of 28 passengers, Renault Scemia buses operated in Istanbul until 1942.
See Mavi Boncuk: 1931 | Renault Scémias of Istanbul and Goodbye Ikarus
See also: Transit: Bus transport in Istanbul - A Review by Klaus Schameitat
![]()
Bussing
The second of these nostalgic buses is the Bussing fleet purchased from Germany in 1951 and 1952. For easy-going travel in Istanbul’s narrow streets, around 100 Bussing buses were selected as they were only nine meters long [Büssing 5500/6000/TU10] and later 8.5 meter long busses [Büssing 4500/TU10].. Bussing buses had a seating capacity of more than 50 passengers (25 sitting and 26 standing).
Leyland
About 300 Leyland-labeled buses were manufactured specially for Turkey in 1968. The British Leyland buses, well-known for being long-lived and safe, provided comfortable bus rides to Istanbulites until 1992.
pictured Leyland, Bussing, Renault ScemiaRenault-Scemia
The first Renault-Scemia buses were purchased from France and arrived in Istanbul in 1926, only three years after the Turkish War of Independence to service the hilly districts in Istanbul where it was harder for tramvays/streetcars/tramways reach. One of four buses started to service the Beyazit-Taksim route in 1927 and the other three later started to operate on Beyazit-Bakircilar-Fuatpasa-Mercan-Fincancilar-Sultanhamam-Eski Postane (Old Post office)-Eminonu route which later extended to Karakoy. The first four buses were and started by assisting the Tramway Company which had been in operation in Istanbul since 1871. Bağlarbaşı warehouse, previously used as a tramway hangar, turned into a garage for the maintenance and repair services of the buses in 1928. With a seat capacity of 28 passengers, Renault Scemia buses operated in Istanbul until 1942.
See Mavi Boncuk: 1931 | Renault Scémias of Istanbul and Goodbye Ikarus
See also: Transit: Bus transport in Istanbul - A Review by Klaus Schameitat
Bussing
The second of these nostalgic buses is the Bussing fleet purchased from Germany in 1951 and 1952. For easy-going travel in Istanbul’s narrow streets, around 100 Bussing buses were selected as they were only nine meters long [Büssing 5500/6000/TU10] and later 8.5 meter long busses [Büssing 4500/TU10].. Bussing buses had a seating capacity of more than 50 passengers (25 sitting and 26 standing).
Leyland
About 300 Leyland-labeled buses were manufactured specially for Turkey in 1968. The British Leyland buses, well-known for being long-lived and safe, provided comfortable bus rides to Istanbulites until 1992.