The Turkish Parliament passed a law late on Tuesday that subsidizes private bus and ferry companies for free passes for people aged 65 years and above.

Inner-city mass transit vehicles are already free for senior citizens but the new regulations include maritime transport. This means they will be able to travel for free on privately operated ferries.

The government will subsidize bus and ferry companies for free bus and ferry tickets issued to senior citizens.

Private mass transit operators long complained of a lack of subsidies in exchange for offering free travel under regulations. They also complained of an overload of elderly passengers after the government ordered a free pass to be implemented last year.