Mersin Municipality Support for Students: 'TaşıYanım' Project and Free Moving

Introduction to the TaşıYanım Project and Its Goals Mersin Metropolitan Municipality started an innovative project named 'TaşıYanım' (meaning My Moving Companion) in 2025 with the aim of turning the city into an ideal place for student life. Managed by the municipality's Social Services Department, this project offers free transportation and logistics services to university students planning to move within the city of Mersin [1]. Given economic fluctuations and rising living costs, this scheme has been described as a 'breath of fresh air' for students forced to move frequently due to changing dormitories or finding cheaper housing.

Student Benefit Statistics: 55 Youth on the Path to Independence According to the latest reports published on July 3, 2026, 55 university students have benefited from the free services of this project so far [2]. These statistics indicate the growing interest of young people in the municipality's support schemes. Nesrin Çalışkan, a sociologist active in the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Social Services Department, stated: 'Our main goal is to reduce the material and spiritual pressures on students. Moving furniture is not only costly but also imposes a lot of stress on the student. With this project, we lift this burden off their shoulders' [3].

How to Register and Use the Services Students studying in Mersin who need to move their household items can easily use these services. The application process is conducted through the 'Alo 185 Teksin' call center. Students register their requests by calling this center and providing documentation regarding their educational status and the origin and destination addresses [1]. After review, the municipality's logistics teams are dispatched to the location with special vehicles and perform the item transfer process completely free of charge and safely. This ease of access is considered one of the strengths of the TaşıYanım project, allowing even first-year students to use it easily [2].

Economic and Social Impacts of the Scheme on Student Life Increasing rent rates and the skyrocketing costs of private moving companies have made moving a major challenge for families and students. Kaan Öztürkoğlu, a third-year psychology student who used this scheme, says: 'Transportation costs are very high, and for us living away from family, this project was a real support. The municipality showed it is by our side with this action' [2]. This scheme not only helps family economies but also keeps students focused on their studies and strengthens their sense of belonging to the city of Mersin. Mersin Municipality has announced that it intends to increase the capacity of this project in the coming years to cover a larger number of students [3].