Innovation

Beştepe Turizm, founded in 2014 and based in Ankara, combines commercial transportation with a strong social mission. The company identified a critical issue in Etimesgut and other low-income districts: limited access to affordable transportation for disadvantaged groups, especially school children. With public transit overcrowded during peak hours, many children struggle to get to school, affecting their education. In response, Beştepe Turizm launched a program providing free or discounted rides to students identified by school principals each year—primarily those from low-income families or who have lost one or both parents. This initiative ensures consistent school attendance and supports long-term academic achievement.

The initiative has had a significant impact on students at schools such as Etimesgut Anatolian High School and Özkent Akbilek Science High School, enabling consistent attendance without the burden of transportation costs. Beyond school access, it also allows students to participate in cultural activities and social life, enhancing their overall well-being and social inclusion. Unlike traditional charity models, Beştepe Turizm operates under a hybrid business model—balancing commercial operations with social impact—allowing the company to sustain and expand its efforts effectively.

This model makes direct contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. By eliminating transportation as a barrier, Beştepe Turizm ensures that disadvantaged groups have equal access to opportunities. Additionally, the company has transitioned to electric and low-emission vehicles, supporting SDG 13: Climate Action. Through partnerships with local organizations and a growing base of volunteers, Beştepe Turizm demonstrates how transportation can be not only a means of mobility but also a driver of social change.

Inspiration

When asked how Beştepe Turizm's social vision started, the founder remembered a vivid memory:

"One winter morning, I saw a kid walking to school in the snow, wearing old shoes and no coat. I stopped and offered him a ride. That one moment stuck with me and I realized transportation wasn't just about getting from point A to point B. It was about dignity, opportunity, and hope."

This was when the idea of building a service that would go beyond profit and make a difference in people's lives struck. The founder emphasized that social mobility begins with physical mobility.

"We hear so much about equality in education or healthcare, but what about equality in getting here?" they added.

Another inspiration came from the background of the founder growing up in a low-income neighborhood.

"I grew up from a background where we shared everything, including rides. I've always believed that if you've got an empty seat in your car, someon4 else might have a full heart but no means of getting there."

This anecdotal experience of hardship and empathy laid the foundation for a business model that merges social good with sustainability. The founder goes on to say:

We didn't want to rely on donations. We wanted to build something strong, self-sustaining, and scalable. A business that demonstrates you can care and still be smart about it."

The Beştepe Turizm story is one of humble origins, but its ambition is grand. What started with one child in need has grown into a mission to serve hundreds and to reimagine what transportation can look like in a fair society.

Overall impact

Ever since its establishment in 2014, Beştepe Turizm's innovation has significantly increased mobility access for marginalized groups in Ankara, particularly in the Etimesgut district. By offering free transport to school children, elderly people, and those who cannot pay, the company has filled a significant gap in urban infrastructure equal access to movement.

In the short term, the most visible impact was the increase in school attendance among poor children. Local school officials reported that truancy fell sharply by up to 30% in some communities after the free transport scheme was introduced. Teachers also reported improvement in classroom focus and engagement as children no longer had to walk long distances or miss classes due to lack of transport.

In the long term, the innovation has supported increased educational and social mobility. Recipients have been able to receive more health visits, exposure to culture, and community activities. The project also created a sense of dignity and belongingness among clients. One mother proudly declared, "Before, we had to do without daily essentials or take buses. Now my child can go to school without compromise."

Apart from this, the shift of Beştepe Turizm to low-emission and electric vehicles reduced the environmental footprint of the service and aligned the service with the climate action targets. The volunteers and the company are now the role models of combining social impact and sustainability in the transport sector. The volunteer drivers' scaling up and local partnerships are the further proof of the society trusting and believing in the innovation.

Business benefit

Ever since Beştepe Turizm included social impact in its business model, the company earned tangible business benefits alongside its social dividends. By offering free services to underprivileged sections of society, it not only enhanced its image in the eyes of the general public but also attracted local governments, NGOs, and socially responsible investors. These partnerships gave access to new funding and consolidated the operational capabilities of Beştepe Turizm.

Since the launch of the innovation in 2014, there has been consistent expansion in both demand for the service and team size. The company expanded its paid transport services leveraging the goodwill and trust built by its social initiative. This created new market opportunity among communities and institutions seeking ethical service providers. As a result, revenue from business operations grew by 35% in five years, which allowed the company to reinvest in greener trucks and logistic networks.

The innovation also made an important internal difference. Employee retention and morale improved, with staff reporting pride in being part of a mission-driven firm. The company began attracting talent with not just skill, but passion for social change creating a driven and collaborative working environment.

Beştepe Turizm's move to serve the community essentially became a source of competitive advantage. The innovation allowed the company to become more sustainably grown, create brand loyalty, and position itself as a force for progress within Turkey's transport sector.

Social and environmental benefit

Beştepe Turizm's innovation has provided measurable benefits to society and the environment since it was founded in 2014. By providing free and reliable transport to disadvantaged groups particularly students, elderly people, and those with disabilities the company has significantly reduced social exclusion and increased access to education, healthcare, and community activities. This has fostered social cohesion and boosted dignity and equality among marginalized populations.

With respect to education access, many children who previously struggled to get to school due to distance or cost now benefit from frequent transport. This has assisted in boosting attendance and continuity in education, both of which are critical for long-term personal development and social mobility. Community centers and local authorities have also reported increased participation and engagement in social programs, demonstrating that mobility is a primary mobilizer of inclusion.

Environmentally, Beştepe Turizm has also moved actively towards sustainability. The firm has begun replacing conventional vehicles with low-emission and electric vehicles to reduce its carbon footprint and facilitate global climate aspirations. This action supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) and demonstrates that small-scale service providers can also contribute to environmental protection.

Through this dual-impact model, the innovation has fostered a more equitable and sustainable local system. It exemplifies how mobility—when guided by compassion and thoughtful planning—can serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change.

Interview

Ahmet Demirci, founder