Erdoğan complained about Metrobus lines being insufficient

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized Istanbul's hastily built metrobus system as having deficiencies that still need to be worked out, in a speech over the weekend.

 "To be brutally honest, there are deficiencies in the metrobus system," Erdoğan said in a speech Saturday, reported private CNN-Türk news channel.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, or İBB, introduced the new transportation system, metrobuses, in Istanbul, finishing the lines in only 77 days.

The prime minister addressed Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş, saying, "But we have to change that a bit. It is not complete now and still has some deficiencies."

Metrobuses are regular buses with their own lanes in the middle of the motorway to ensure faster travel. The system promises to provide a 38-minute ride between the Zincirlikuyu and Topkapı neighborhoods of Istanbul.

Third bridge to be built in Istanbul

Meanwhile, Erdoğan criticized opponents of the proposed construction of a third bridge in Istanbul.

"Some people talk on TV programs but they do not offer any other solution for the traffic problem," said Erdoğan, referring to those who are against the third bridge. 

"They only say one thing: There is no need for a third bridge. But this attitude was used to oppose the first and second bridges too. We cannot continue with this point of view," said Erdoğan.

Several measures have been taken by İBB, such as metrobuses and a third bridge, in an effort to relieve Istanbul's traffic.

"We will take a new step with the third bridge in solving Istanbul's traffic problem. Otherwise it is not possible to carry Istanbul to the future," said Erdoğan. He also said the Marmaray Tube Tunnel project would be finished by 2010 or 2011.

"Also the tender is completed for another underground motorway project which will connect the Anatolian and European sides. The company that took the project has been finalized," said Erdoğan.