By Arif Yavuz
AFYONKARAHISAR, Turkey (AA) – A man in western Turkey hopes to turn his hobby into a valuable educational resource.
Thirty-five-year-old Tufan Yasik, a bus ticket salesman, proudly displays diecast bus models at his office that highlight the decades-long history of Turkey’s bus transport sector.
Yasik started collecting the models 20 years ago while selling tickets in his father’s office at a bus terminal in the western province of Afyonkarahisar.
He became fond of collecting models of buses operating at the station at the time, amassing a collection that spans two decades.
"When I saw radio-controlled cars in 1998, I wondered if there were remote-controlled buses. This made me intrigued about the buses while working at the office,” he told Anadolu Agency.
He started collecting bus models, purchasing many types on the internet.
“I amassed a collection of 300 diecast bus models that Turkey has seen in the last 20 years.”
The collection also sheds light on the history of Turkey’s bus transport sector, he said, adding he hopes to showcase it in an exhibition.
He said his hobby also helps him relax.
“My collection is sort of a passion for me. I am happy among my buses. Taking care of them also relieves stress.”