Turkish railways transported over 18M passengers in July
A high-speed train passes through the Bostancı neighborhood, Istanbul, Türkiye, Oct. 31, 2022. (AA Photo)
Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that rail systems operated by Turkish State Railways (TCDD), including high-speed trains (YHT), Marmaray, Baskentray and regional trains, significantly reduced traffic congestion in major cities, especially in metropolitan areas.
- Marmaray breaks record: The Marmaray line in Istanbul, one of the city’s major infrastructure projects, transported 16,863,448 passengers in July, surpassing the city’s population of approximately 15 million. Uraloglu highlighted Marmaray as the “lifeline” of Istanbul’s urban transportation.
- Baskentray’s impact: The Baskentray, which connects the eastern and western parts of Ankara, saw 1,779,123 passengers in July, showing its growing popularity among Ankara’s residents.
Growing demand for rail travel
Uraloglu emphasized the increasing demand for rail travel across the country, particularly during the summer months when ridership peaks.
- Regional trains: In July, a total of 2,071,695 passengers traveled on YHT, mainline, and regional trains. Specifically, YHT services carried 1,114,206 passengers, while the mainline and regional trains served 957,489 passengers. The safety, speed, and comfort of rail travel have become key factors for passengers choosing these services.
Zoom in: Turkish Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu reported that 7,519,428 passengers were transported via railway over the Eid al-Adha holidays from June 14-22.
Looking forward: domestic electric high-speed train to hit tracks in 2025
Türkiye’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that the design of the domestic Electric High-Speed Train Set, capable of speeds up to 225 kilometers per hour (62.5 miles per second), is in its final stages.
The eight-car train set is set to be operational by 2025.
