Turkey Makes a Major Breakthrough in Urban Rail Systems

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized the significant role the Ministry plays in city rail systems across Turkey. Currently, there are 1,036 kilometers of urban rail lines in Turkey, of which 434 kilometers have been constructed by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, indicating the importance given to modern public transportation.

Minister Uraloğlu announced that the city will meet modern public transportation with the ongoing 122-kilometer new rail line and a 297-kilometer new line in planning. The second phase of the Halkalı-Başakşehir-İstanbul Airport Metro Line, which strengthens Istanbul’s northern integration, is targeted to be opened in the first quarter of 2026.

Critical Projects and Schedules in Major Cities

Important projects that will ease transportation in larger cities such as Ankara and Konya are underway: In Ankara, connections to industrial zones are established via the Sincan OSB-Yenikent-Kazan Soda Railway, which continues from Başkentray. In Konya, it is planned to complete Konyaray in 2027 and the Second Stage of the Konya City Hospital-Stadium Tramway Line connecting the city center with hospitals and universities by 2026. Kocaeli aims to complete the North Light Rail System Line by the end of 2028. In Istanbul, construction of the Altunizade-Camlica-Bosna Boulevard Metro Line continues, connecting key points of the city.

New Lines and Airport Connections

The Ministry has also focused on projects to strengthen the transportation network in provinces such as Samsun, Istanbul, Sakarya, and Trabzon. In Samsun, the Kılıçdede-City Hospital-Public Campus line will strengthen north-south transportation; In Sakarya, the Adapazarı-Serdivan Tram Line will provide eco-friendly transportation.

In Ankara, the rail route passing through Kızılay has been revised for uninterrupted access to Esenboğa Airport. Additionally, the first phase of the Trabzon Rail System will be implemented as 16.2 km between Akyazı and the Airport, and the Sabiha Gökçen-Kurtköy Metro Line project has been completed. Lastly, the construction of the Bursa University-Görükle Extension Line is undertaken by the Ministry, connecting the city’s educational and residential areas to the rail network.