Over the past decade, the authorities in Istanbul have focused their transport policies on public transport infrastructure development to meet the increasing mobility demands and to increase the market share of public transport. Istanbul Mayor KadirTopbas explained that the railway transport system of the city has been extended to 141 km with projects on the development of another 100 km of railway underway. As of 2004, the city invested EUR 14.5 Million in the transport infrastructure, representing 50% of the total budget. And Istanbul does not plan to stop here…
In the transport plan for the next 5 years, the authorities will focus their attention on launching new projects that will stimulate public transport and create an efficient transport system.
At the end of 2014, the Municipality announced that the budget cost for this year is of GBP 31.8 Billion (EUR 11.5 Billion), a sum which includesIstanbul Electric Tramway and Tunnel Establishment (IETT), next to other administrations. GBP 5 Billion will be distributed for the transport system (EUR 1.8 Billion) and according to plans, rail public transport capacity will be increased to be capable to carry 7 million passengers in 2016 and 11 million in 2019. GBP 2 Billion (EUR 724 Million) will be allocated for the construction of the tram and metro lines, of which EUR 430 Million for the infrastructure in the Asian part of the city and EUR 300 Million for the European part.
The metro system is the most important component of Istanbul public transport and plans include the significant development of the network. At the end of 2014, the Aksaray–Yenikapı line was put into operation. The line connects the Marmaray Tunnel to the metro line in the European part of the city. “At present, Istanbul metro network measures 141 km and will be extended to 430 km by 2019”, declared Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, at the opening ceremony.
Several months after the opening of the new railway, the authorities announced (in January 2015) the initiation of another project for the construction of a new section of 6.5 km that will serve 8 districts (Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Şişli, Kağıthane, Eyüp, Gaziosmanpaşa, Esenler and Bağcılar). The first phase consists in the construction of the Mecidiyeköy – Mahmutbey section to be finalized in 2017, while another section, Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy, will be finalized in 2018. After the finalization of the project, the entire line will be 24.5 km, being considered the most important connection in Istanbul.
The necessary rolling stock for this railway consists in 144 wagons to be delivered from 2017 to 2018 when the project will be completed.
by Pamela Luică
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