A new book about Istanbul rail transit network will be soon available: subway, light metro, light rail, funicular subway, tramway... every single station is pictured!

Details and further info about other rail transit networks can be found at www.cityrailtransit.com (http://www.cityrailtransit.com)

http://www.cityrailtransit.com/img/portada.jpg

Istanbul CityRailTransit Atlas book available.
For further info visit www.cityrailtransit.com (http://www.cityrailtransit.com)

http://www.cityrailtransit.com/page33.jpg

http://www.cityrailtransit.com/page92.jpg

http://www.cityrailtransit.com/page105.jpg

I have always been fascinated with Turkey and Istanbul.
Too bad pictures are small.

http://www.sbox.tugraz.at/home/m/miguyan/bilder/metro/istanbul.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr01/taksim_metro9883.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr29/Faruk_metro01.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr29/Faruk_metro03.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr29/Faruk_metro04.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr23/kemal_bereket_METRO1.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr23/kemal_bereket_METRO3.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr24/Faruk_metro16.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr24/Faruk_metro22.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr24/Faruk_metro7.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr24/Faruk_metro9.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr34/Faruk_metro125.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr34/Faruk_metro250.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr35/ata_taksim.jpg

Light Rail System (partly Underground)
http://dunyaturk.com/tr30/Faruk_dtmistasyonu.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr28/Faruk_merter010.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr16/Faruk_hafif01.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr16/Faruk_hafif10.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr16/Faruk_hafif07.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr16/Faruk_hafif08.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr09/Burc_havaalani0090.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr28/Faruk_hafifmetro2.jpg

http://dunyaturk.com/tr28/Faruk_metroarac2.jpg

Nice photos
:)

Now Istambul is investing in improving the rail system... Light Rail, metro...
The metro stations look great and modern, but trains are exactly the same as the metro system of Caracas... curious. I suposse that both are built by same builder (Alstom).

Is there any plan for a rail link between Europe and Asia????

WOW!!
:eek:
How nice and interesting...
I will see it in September or October!
:wink2:

Geez, the underground passages are too long. You could run a 2 stop bus route in there. Not a fan of the interior colors of the stock.

Wow, they have vending machines!

Nice photos
:)

Now Istambul is investing in improving the rail system... Light Rail, metro...
The metro stations look great and modern, but trains are exactly the same as the metro system of Caracas... curious. I suposse that both are built by same builder (Alstom).

Is there any plan for a rail link between Europe and Asia????
Yes, here is the thread about the project :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=194116

Really impressive!!

nice system and stations!!

Yes, here is the thread about the project :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=194116

Thanks...

Really interesting project.
:)

Thanks, interesting pics. The trains on the metro lines look American....

Thank you for the link!!
:wink2:

Very beautiful images.
;)

I like it

Nice metro system it looks very new and clean :cheers:

http://dunyaturk.com/tr16/Faruk_hafif07.jpg

But this train looks like the old Metro trains in Vienna :|

Amazing Metro! I hope it continues growing!

http://www.cityrailtransit.com/istanbul/istanbul_metro.gif

Istanbul has historically been a great transit city, a cosmopolitan bridge between Asia & Europe. Any plans for a trans-Bosphorus metro tube to link the rail networks on both sides?

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/9962/60501422ef3.png (http://imageshack.us)


Trams

Line T1
A fast tram (T1) was put in service in 1992 on standard gauge track with modern cars, connecting Sirkeci with Topkapı. The line was extended on one end from Topkapı to Zeytinburnu in March 1994 and, on the other end from Sirkeci to Eminönü in April 1996. On January 30, 2005 it was extended from Eminönü to Fındıklı, crossing the Golden Horn on the Galata Bridge after 44 years without tram service on the bridge. A final extension to Kabataş opened in June 2006. The line has 24 stations on a length of 14 km. Service was initially operated with 22 LRT vehicles built by ABB, now reassigned to other lines; stations were provided with temporary high platforms. These vehicles were replaced by 55 low-floor Bombardier Flexity Swift trams in 2003. An entire trip takes 42 minutes. The daily transport capacity is 155,000 passengers. The amount of investment totaled US$110 million.

Hızlı Tramway stations are: Zeytinburnu, Mithatpaşa, Akşemsettin, Seyitnizam, Merkezefendi, Cevizlibağ, Topkapı, Pazartekke, Çapa, Fındıkzade, Haseki, Yusufpaşa, Aksaray, Laleli (Üniversite), Beyazıt (Kapalıçarşı), Çemberlitaş, Sultanahmet, Gülhane, Sirkeci, Eminönü (ferryboats), Karaköy, Tophane, Fındıklı, Kabataş.

In June 2006, a modern underground funicular was opened at Kabataş to connect this line to metro in Taksim.

Line T2
In September 2006, a second tram line (T2) was added running west from Zeytinburnu to Bağcılar. Service on this line is operated with 14 ABB LRT cars. Stations have high platforms at the level of the car floor.

Wikipedia

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/716/83903776ck8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/7676/58011835xh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/8818/57005614zp8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Inside of Tram

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/3158/30730020ed0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/1411/23pn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/5638/10vp6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Line 1 and Line 2 connections

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/4778/11mr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/9509/39mr6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Line 2 / Zeytinburnu - Bağcılar

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/2910/17er8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/7183/18ko5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/5767/24ij2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It's amazing that such a large city has such a small mass transit system. What's that new tunnel/rail thing they're building?

True, Istanbul lack of rail system thats why we have too much buses around..but after the completion of "Marmaray" project in 2010, Istanbul's rail transport fraction will be third largest in the world.

Detalied thread about the project;
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=194116&page=4

Does anybody else feel that Istanbul & Turkey are being overrepresented in the forums these days?

Greetings from Istanbul :)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1534/81500838sr6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4281/76703434cc5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1664/94850039qs4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Does anybody else feel that Istanbul & Turkey are being overrepresented in the forums these days?

What are the limitations to call this an overrepresentation ?

Does anybody else feel that Istanbul & Turkey are being overrepresented in the forums these days?

We have many active forumers, plus many new and important projects:)

Very interesting lightrail! It looks like a stadtbahn too me with all the right-of-way sections. Are there any underground sections and how long are the elevated sections we could see on one of the photos?

The light rail (LRT) M1 has many underground sections but don't forget light rail line and tram lines are different ways.

LRT pics

One of the stations;

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7852/14324892ls7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Underground station

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4599/79947149dx9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

LRT connection bridge

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3348/32587360bf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Airport station

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7329/61799685vg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3549/53234343cn5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Merter Station

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2513/50469043gt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9629/55064170yr5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7858/97153924dk1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3812/55981384rg1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9773/16tf7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2280/18aj4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
pictures from wowturkey, thanks all

The subway system in Istanbul was initiated in 1992 and was completed in 2000. The first line between Taksim and 4th Levent went into service on September 16, 2000. This line is 8.5 km long and has 6 stations. All stations look similar but are in different colors. Currently there are 8 French built 4-car trains in service, which run every 5 minutes on average and transport 130,000 passengers daily. A trip along the entire line takes 12 minutes. The entire subway was built by the cut-and-cover method to withstand an earthquake of up to 9.0 on the Richter magnitude scale (Metro stations are: 4.Levent, Levent, Gayrettepe, Şişli, Osmanbey, Taksim)


The northern extension from 4th Levent to Ayazağa is expected to be completed in late 2010. The southern section of the metro from Taksim to Yenikapı, crossing the Golden Horn on a bridge and underground through the old city, is under construction with a tentative completion date of 2012. It will be 5.4 km long with 4 stations. At Yenikapı, it will intersect with the extended light metro, the suburban train lines and seabusses.

Lines under construction

22 km long Otogar-Bağcılar-Başakşehir-Olimpiyat Stadı metro line is expected to be completed in 2011.

On the Asian side, a 22 km long new metro line from Kadıköy to Kartal is under construction and scheduled to open in 2012, while the first branch between Kadiköy and Kozyatagi is opening by the end of 2010.

A new underwater tunnel project, Marmaray, is being built to connect the European and Asian sides of the city, joining both the Banlieue Train Systems to create a line connecting Halkali with Gebze, a total of 76,3 km in 105 minutes. This system will cross the Bosporus Straits in an immersed tube tunnel to also connect both Central Stations Ibrahimaga (Asian) and Sirkeci (European). This system will have several transfer stations to the extended Metro system, Light rail, Havaray and Seabusses.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2503/12vu9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9530/29ow9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5901/32453434ir7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/1149/67066845nv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9501/85565976jy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3938/24jb6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/8317/25yj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2480/26oq7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2735/27xr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/5834/28jt2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
from flickr&wowturkey

^^Very nice system!
:okay:
I saw it in 2006, it looks like American instead of European, mainly the trains.
:yes:

I think the trains were brought from Europe or Asia mmm I'm not sure whatever :nuts:

But it should be extended asap. more more and more...

^ Caracas metro system share the same trains model you in Istambul have got. Blame Alstom (France), for such great vehicles.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa112/Danny86_2007/TrenHermnaoMetrosdeCaracas.jpg

http://www.minci.gob.ve/img/metro1.jpg

^^I really like them, but they do not look European anyway...
:sly:

Istanbul metro looks amazing I wouldnt have thought that turkey is so organized and beautiful.....

^^I really like them, but they do not look European anyway...
:sly:
What do you mean by they dont look european? So the parisian MF77 should not look european to you, as both of them have been designed at the same time (same angle shape as you can see on the picture), the MF77 for Paris and an other wider one originally for Tehran.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Metro-Paris-Rame-MF77-ligne.jpg

wow mashallah türk kardeshler!
turkye iyi bir büyük memleket!
iran da 20 million türkler var!
yashshin iran yashashin türkey !
selam ve sevgile
bir fars arkadas

What you call the light rail looks like a conventional metro to me.

What you call the light rail looks like a conventional metro to me.
It's a light rail anyway because this rolling stock was used in the street on the tram line before Istanbul get "real" tram rolling stock. Istanbul had ordered the same rolling stock for the tram line and the light rail to lower the cost.

Are there any pictures of the actual metro?

^^:)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=707284

:lol::lol: :cheers1:

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6295/56268613md9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4879/10et7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
wowturkey

More of city tram;

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2017/11dr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2605/12gi0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9523/13xw4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8835/14fl5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6625/15ik2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9881/17cb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
wowturkey

That is a really beautiful network. Thanks for the great photos. I will definitely be taking this when I make my way to Istanbul! :D

What a beautiful thread :eek2:! Congratulations, _Sha_:applause:! This thread is great! I loved the nice photos.

Thanks, enjoy! :)

It's amazing that such a large city has such a small mass transit system. What's that new tunnel/rail thing they're building?

Actually, until 1950s, Istanbul had an extensive tram network consisting 56 lines. However, car craze caused the track to be removed one by one and last tram line closed in European side in 1961 and Asian side in 1966. Then came trolleybuses which did not do a good job either and were withdrawn in 1984. We now try to correct the mistakes we did in 1950s.

Here some pictures of new line M7s new Alstom metro cars..displayed at Taksim for 3 days before going to depot area...
Inside...
http://www.fotothing.com/photos/92a/92a6e809454d223a1262839fba52cb0f.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/0e1/0e1d356ea95785e3d23bd5bbc65a5fe4_d36.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/fc3/fc3960626127a44fe7eb396480492df5.jpg

Looking at Istambul's trainsets I inmediately thought of the Washington DC metro trains

Caracas's fleet doesn't look European to me (I thought of Frisco's BART looking at it) while Istanbul's does.

^^I really like them, but they do not look European anyway...
:sly:

They are French trains

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/6eb/6ebae13d285f482cbb454a4bf3b12dbe_919.jpg
in this picture the new sets are ready for delivery at Eurotem plant located at Adapazari town...

Here some pictures of new line M7s new Alstom metro cars..displayed at Taksim for 3 days before going to depot area...
Inside...
http://www.fotothing.com/photos/92a/92a6e809454d223a1262839fba52cb0f.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/0e1/0e1d356ea95785e3d23bd5bbc65a5fe4_d36.jpg

Can u show this line on a map?

they will be used on the turquoise line in the west.

http://i38.tinypic.com/r04fmt.jpg

As a tram & metro fan, I’ve a large collection of texts, photos, maps, tickets etc. about African, Oceanian, South American & Asian trams & metros. I live in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in India, and my city is running oldest operating Asian tram since 1902 & oldest Indian metro since 1984.

There are some telepathic similarities between my city Kolkata & Ystanbul. Both were the former capital of their country, and both cities have tram & metro. The only tram difference is that Kolkata is running tram continuously till 1902, against many obstacles, whereas Ystanbul had no trams between 1966 & 1990.

I’ve some questions; please answer me one by one-

ABOUT METRO (M2) - (all questions excluding Hafif Metro)

1) Which lines of Ystanbul Metro is now under construction? Please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will underground or not.
2) Beside them, any other lines are planned? If yes, then please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will underground or not.
3) Please send me a full map of Ystanbul metro, including operating, constructing, and planned lines.
4) I saw in internet that extension of 4 Levent - Ayazaga and Taksim - Yenikapi is planned. Is it true, if yes, please give me their routes, stations, target dates, and inform me are those will underground or not.
5) I saw in internet that about a planned extension Yenikapi - Bagcilar - Basaksehir and a new line Otogar - Besiktas. Are these true? If yes, please inform me will they run M2 type full metro or M1 type Hafif metro?
6) I also saw in internet that about some planned new lines or extensions, i.e.- Otogar - Bağcılar - Başakşehir - Olimpiyat Stadı, Üsküdar - Beykoz, Yeşilköy - Atatürk Airport - Bahcelievler - İkitelli, Bakırköy - Bahçelievler - Bağcılar, Yenikapı - Bakırköy, Kabataş - Beşiktaş - Mecidiyeköy - Kagithane - Alibeyköy. Are these true? If yes, please inform me will they run M2 type full metro or M1 type Hafif metro?

ABOUT TRAM (T1) - (all questions excluding Hafif Metro)

1) Which routes of Ystanbul Tram is now under construction? Please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will on reserved track or not.
2) Beside them, any other routes are planned? If yes, then please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will on reserved track or not.
3) Are there any plan to run T1 like low floor trams on T2 & T4 in future? If yeas, then when?
4) Please send me a full map of Ystanbul tram, including operating, closed, and planned lines.
5) What is the current minimum tram fare, and how it increases depending on distance.
6) Are tram tickets also valid in metro, funicular, bus, suburban trains and ferryboat?
7) Are there any plan to connect T1 with T5 directly?
8) Is T1 running on the route, which previously served by old tram, i.e. is there any common street/route between pre 1966 tram & T1?
9) Please send me details about current tram routes in ROUTE NUMBER - ORIGINATING PLACE - DESTINATION PLACE - USED STREETS format.
10) I saw in internet that Ystanbul previously had a tram network, which closed in 1966. Please send me details about closed routes as ROUTE NUMBER - ORIGINATING PLACE - DESTINATION PLACE - USED STREETS format of both Asia & Europe side.
11) Please also send me details about route by route closing dates and a map of previous Ystanbul tram system at its peak time with most routes on both Asia & Europe side.
12) Why Ystanbul closed tramlines completely in 1966, and why tram returned in Ystanbul in 1990 & 1992?

Beside these - 1) Please send me an old tram system's map of Istanbul including both Asia & European part.
2) Please send me some photos of old tram system as jpg format.

http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ist/istanbul.htm

I think this answers most of your questions

Thanks for UrbanRail for some updates. But I'm not got all of my answers.

A) Will the following lines be made in future as a M2 type metro (not as M1 like hafif metro)? If yes, please give me their stations, target dates, and inform me are those will underground or not-

a)Yenikapi - Bagcilar - Basaksehir 20 km
b)Otogar - Besiktas 13.5 km (Linear Metro due to steep gradients)
c)Yeşilköy-Atatürk Airport-Bahcelievler-İkitelli metro line. Planned line will be 14.3 km long.
d)Bakırköy-Bahçelievler-Bağcılar metro line. Planned line will be 8.8 km long.
e)Yenikapı-Bakırköy (D-100) metro line. Planned line will be 7 km long.
f)Kabataş-Beşiktaş-Mecidiyeköy-Kagithane-Alibeyköy metro line. Planned line will be 10 km long.
g)22 km long Otogar-Bağcılar-Başakşehir-Olimpiyat Stadı metro line
h)Üsküdar-Beykoz Metro line

B)If all those lines are planned, then please send me a map showing how will be the total network after completing all those lines.

C)UrbanRail is not answering the following tram (T1, T3,T5) questions. I'm repeating those -

1) Which routes of Ystanbul Tram is now under construction? Please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will on reserved track or not.
2) Beside them, any other routes are planned? If yes, then please give me their routes, target dates, and inform me are those will on reserved track or not.
3) Are there any plan to run T1 like low floor trams on T2 & T4 in future? If yeas, then when?
4) Please send me a full map of Ystanbul tram, including operating, closed, and planned lines.
5) What is the current minimum tram fare, and how it increases depending on distance.
6) Are tram tickets also valid in metro, funicular, bus, suburban trains and ferryboat?
7) Are there any plan to connect T1 with T5 directly?
8) Is T1 running on the route, which previously served by old tram, i.e. is there any common street/route between pre 1966 tram & T1?
9) Please send me details about current tram routes in ROUTE NUMBER - ORIGINATING PLACE - DESTINATION PLACE - USED STREETS format.
10) I saw in internet that Ystanbul previously had a tram network, which closed in 1966. Please send me details about closed routes as ROUTE NUMBER - ORIGINATING PLACE - DESTINATION PLACE - USED STREETS format of both Asia & Europe side.
11) Please also send me details about route by route closing dates and a map of previous Ystanbul tram system at its peak time with most routes on both Asia & Europe side.
12) Why Ystanbul closed tramlines completely in 1966, and why tram returned in Ystanbul in 1990 & 1992?

Beside these - 1) Please send me an old tram system's map of Istanbul including both Asia & European part.
2) Please send me some photos of old tram system as jpg format.

It will be best if any inhabitant of Istanbul, who is living there 50 years or more, give me the answers.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3247280962_7a7915e032.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3247280952_23526286de.jpg?v=0

www.kobiline.com/web/tramturk

http://www.dersaadettramvayi.com/kaynak.html is the best website about Istanbul tram, but sadly, it is in Turkish, which I can't read. How can I translate the pages to English?

Monorail vehicle using one rail of the tramway http://video.google.fr/videoplay?docid=2318794740642506878&q=train

Will the following lines be made in future as a M2 type metro (not as M1 like hafif metro)? If yes, please give me their stations, target dates, and inform me are those will underground or not-

a)Yenikapi - Bagcilar - Basaksehir 20 km
b)Otogar - Besiktas 13.5 km (Linear Metro due to steep gradients)
c)Yeşilköy-Atatürk Airport-Bahcelievler-İkitelli metro line. Planned line will be 14.3 km long.
d)Bakırköy-Bahçelievler-Bağcılar metro line. Planned line will be 8.8 km long.
e)Yenikapı-Bakırköy (D-100) metro line. Planned line will be 7 km long.
f)Kabataş-Beşiktaş-Mecidiyeköy-Kagithane-Alibeyköy metro line. Planned line will be 10 km long.
g)22 km long Otogar-Bağcılar-Başakşehir-Olimpiyat Stadı metro line
h)Üsküdar-Beykoz Metro line

Actually there aren't two types of metro in Istanbul, to be excatly in the world. The municipality used the term "hafif metro" for M1 in order to distinguish it from the other line. Until last year namings like M1, M2 didn't exist so they called one line hafif metro "light metro" and the other just "metro". The other was called hafif metro because it was not 100% underground but also built on viaducts so they named it light metro but there aren't two types of metro. There is light rail which is a type of higher capacity tramway with isolated track. Since more lines are coming up soon they introduced the M1,M2,M3 etc.. system.

Now to your questions. I don't know how to answer your questions since some of your lines you mentioned aren't u/c yet, some are partly u/c and you also didn't add some which are actually u/c but let's try..

a)Yenikapi - Bagcilar - Basaksehir 20 km: Here you see a map of that line but that's not how the line runs actually. http://i40.tinypic.com/34i0cqb.jpg
It is more Kirazli-I - Basaksehir and Kirazli-I - Olimpiyat Stadi since the line splits in two lines. This line is supposed to go until Bakirköy someday (you can see it on the map, the blue dashed line)

The other line on the map "Esenler-Kirazli-1" is the extension of M1 (or hafif metro how you call it) amd that one is supposed to go to Halkali one day (also blue dashed line)

On the map it looks like one long line (that's also what many people think) but these are two lines which cross in Kirazli-I if you look carefully.

These two lines abobe are supposed to be completed by the end of 2009 but I think it will be more within the first months of 2010.


b)Otogar - Besiktas 13.5 km (Linear Metro due to steep gradients):
There isn't such a project as far as I know but you can travel from Otokar to Besiktas already by metro. First you take the M1 and switch to M2 and there you take the finicular in Taksim to Kabatas. From Kabatas you have to walk like 10 minutes.

c)Yeşilköy-Atatürk Airport-Bahcelievler-İkitelli metro line. Planned line will be 14.3 km long: Never heard of such a line either but again once the lines I posted above on the picture are completed you'll be able to travel from the airport to Ikitelli by changing the metro in kirazli-I

d)Bakırköy-Bahçelievler-Bağcılar metro line. Planned line will be 8.8 km long: Well that the blue dashed line I was talking about above. The construction didn't start since it's part of the second phase project will are planned to be completed in 2014-2015. Right now first phase lines are u/c which will be completed in 2009-2011

f)Kabataş-Beşiktaş-Mecidiyeköy-Kagithane-Alibeyköy metro line. Planned line will be 10 km long: This is third phase which is the last phase, to be completed by 2023 (100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic" Until that day all there phases will be completed which means about 550 km of subway in Istanbul.

g)22 km long Otogar-Bağcılar-Başakşehir-Olimpiyat Stadı metro line
Well that's first line I talked about above.


h)Üsküdar-Beykoz Metro line That's also second phase but there is another line Kadiköy-Kartal which is parallel to that line and that one will be completed next year as well.

It must be irritating for you since you don't know Istanbul but even for us it is irritating. How come that an Indian guy is so much interested in Istanbul's metro development?

I really dig those train interiors.

30 new Citadis 301 evolution tramcars are on production line for Istanbul T1 :
http://www.istanbululasim.net/phpBB2/userpix/6_istanbul_citadis1_1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3255742147_44b46d5c0d.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3308333603_52def4d102.jpg?v=0

It must be irritating for you since you don't know Istanbul but even for us it is irritating. How come that an Indian guy is so much interested in Istanbul's metro development?

That's the question. I'm very very much interested about Istanbul for the following reasons -

I live in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in India, and my city is running oldest operating Asian tram since 1902 & oldest Indian metro since 1984.

There are some telepathic similarities between my city Kolkata & Ystanbul. Both were the former capital of their country, and both cities have tram & metro. The only tram difference is that Kolkata is running tram continuously till 1902, against many obstacles, whereas Ystanbul had no trams between 1966 & 1990.

There are infinite thanks for your answeres about Istanbul metro. I'll later ask you more & more questions until I'm satisfied about Istanbul tram & metro, because I've never met anybody such you, who is mostly serious about Istanbul's tram & metro.

I'm planing to draw a current map on a google earth map with existing and u/c lines but I'm too lazy right now.. Including the Marmaray project there is about 110 km u/c right now. Have you seen any topic about Kolkata subway around here. Since you mean there are some similarities I would also like to know if both systems look similar as well.

Messi, I've recentrly created this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Istanbul. My request to you to verify that page and also point me are those informations correct or not.

You can get latest updates about Kolkata tramway & subway from Wikipedia searching 'Calcutta Tramways Company' & 'Kolkata Metro'.

Also search tag in 'skyscrapercity' typing 'Kolkata', then you can get two (or more) links about urban rail transport of Kolkata.

Messi, thank you very much for your answers about Istanbul metro. I think there are some confusion about Istanbul tram & metro system.

About metro –

No doubt M2 is a metro, but I think M1 is actually a light rail.
Universally, metro is a separate railway system, which
1) Completely independent from other road and rail traffic.
2) Different and better rolling stock than suburban train.
3) Runs on high frequency (from 2 to 5 minutes headway)
4) Much beautiful & decorated station with elevators & escalators.
5) Wide coaches like suburban train.
6) Runs mainly underground, although some systems are elevated/at graded.

Side by side, light rail is a railway system, which
1) Completely independent from other road and rail traffic, accessible via stations with platforms.
2) Runs on lower frequency than metro, but higher than tram (from 5 to 10 minutes headway)
3) Much beautiful & decorated stations, some (not all) with elevators & escalators.
4) Narrower coaches like tram, narrower than metro.
5) Runs mainly at graded, although some systems are elevated/partly underground.

Worldwide, which light rail runs partly underground, it is called light metro also. That means it is a lighter version of a true metro. Considering those facts, I’m sure that M2 is a light rail/light metro but not a metro, like M1.

About tram –

I knew from internet that T3 is the European side heritage tram, which uses same type stock like pre 1966 tram system, and T5 is the Asian side heritage tram, which uses second-hand stocks imported from Gotha.

Side by side, there are three modern tram routes – T1, T2 & T4. From various internet sources, I knew that–

T1 first used ABB stocks, which were high floor, and now is using Bombardier stocks, which are low floor. When high floor stocks ran through T1, all stops had high platforms, which has demolished after arrival of the low floor stock. But T2 is fully using ABB high floor stocks. T4 is also partly using ABB high floor stock. That ABB high floor stocks are also used in M2, which is called light metro (light rail).

So my question is, although T2 & T4 is called tram, but hence they’re using light rail (light metro) stocks, aren’t they actually light rail? So I think, T2 & T4 are light rail/light metro but not tram, like T1.

Is there any plan to replace existing high floor stocks of T2 & T4 by low floor stocks like T1?

Another question, are those Citadis low floor stocks will run in all tram routes, i.e. on T1, T2 & T4 in future?

Please clear my confusions about metro & tram stated above.

http://www.trainsofturkey.com/maps/istanbul_tram11.jpg

There is a 1920 electric tram map of Istanbul. But the northern portion is not complete. The tracks to north from Sisli & Bebek are not shown in the map. Also the Asian side’s tramway is completely not shown. Please either publish a full prominent map of Istanbul at their full fledge containing both Asian & European system, or write details about those not shown routes.

This is another electric tram map of 1950 in the link - http://www.dersaadettramvayi.com/guzergah.html, but the texts are too small for read. Can anybody post here a bigger prominent map containing both Asian & European side network of pre 1966?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3364796797_e1b51e4931_o.jpg
A bigger old map for Ashis,Iwill try to upload another one for Asian side tram lines on Friday or Saturday after scanning at home.
Also click to the below line to see many many old pictures ,if you like you can be a member then you can see the bigger versions too,But only in Turkish unfortunately,the pictures are free for using but you should not cut off the logo wowturkey.
http://wowturkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22887&start=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3230985031_d4e635cd6a.jpg?v=0
Historic trams of Istanbul now operating only on Istiklal Street / T5
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/3024048953_dde521ea1b.jpg?v=0
A capture from movie "TOPKAPI"
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2277412050_e29bd0b886.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1037/547995295_72af0544ac.jpg?v=0
An old UKHT tram of Asian side which was abandoned in 1966 can be seen at Istanbul RMK Museum currently.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2237851820_0aefecbec0.jpg?v=0
M1 and T4 Are using these 1986 made ABB cars.
http://http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1249/751678730_92b0793652.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/1813493930_cd1d88dca9.jpg?v=0
T1 AND T2 meeting area in Zeytinburnu.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1040/547995339_4a5d6828d1.jpg?v=0
T1 Bombardier at Sirkeci.....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3369738043_bfb1d1251f_o.jpg

Thanks for the Asian side map, but the european side is partly hazy. Can you send a clear version of the European side of this image?

T2, T4 & Hafif metro is using same ABB rolling stock, so they are all light rail, not tram. Am I right?

T1 is the only line with lowfloor vehicles and which is not isolated from traffic, the rest is, many have also underground parts so yes they are light rail. In contrast hafif metro is called M1 now and is considered as metro.

new Seyrantepe station
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/4080589520_7977d046b6_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4080578242_28bb2c84c6_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/4079819457_99119f0f7c_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4079829287_9a708f7214_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/4079828597_9a2b5bfdb2_o.jpg

What i like at the Istanbul metro is that it is very clean and it does not smell

Nice station but where is it? Which line? I cant find it in the map :)

http://i38.tinypic.com/r04fmt.jpg
green one
Station is at the seperate line of the green one (Seyrantepe)

When will be open the new stantion?

According to the major they will open the line and station on Feb 2010.
BTW the Seyrantepe station is more than a normal metro station.

Some informations:
-2,300 car parking (mainly for stadium and park&ride)
-3 x 150m tunnels under the highway (connection to the stadium.29m under the highway)
-parking for the metro/railway car
-110.000.000 Euro (15% parking)
-cap of the metro car storehouse: 120
-28 metro cars can be repaired at the same time
-8 metro cars can be washed at the same time
-inside the storehouse they installed 5,866m rail

www.sercan.de thanks for the information! I have several questions about the impending development of the metro in Istanbul and will be glad if you could answer me!
When will be put into operation the stantions Darussafaka and Naciosman? What type are they - deep level or not?

When will be open the new stantion?

All information below is subject to change, as the Istanbul Municipality redraws its schedules all the time. Question marks mark extensions where we have not had any or only contradicting news recently.

Feb 2010 - The M2 line will start to function as a singular line (instead of 3 seperate lines at the moment) from Sishane to A. Oto Sanayi. At the same time, Sanayi (not to be confused with A. Oto Sanayi) to Seyrantepe will start to operate as a seperate line. Only when there are soccer games at the as yet unfinished Seyrantepe Stadium will the line operate directly between Taksim and Seyrantepe.

May 2010 - M2 extended one stop northwards to Darüssafaka

Nov/Dec 2010 - M2 extended one stop northwards to Haciosman

2011? 2012? Southern extension M2 Sishane to Yenikapi completed

other lines:

2010? M1 extension Esenler - Bagcilar (- Kirazli)
2010? new line Kirazli - Olympic Stadium, with branch to Basak Konutlari
end 2011 new line Kadiköy - Kartal; indefinite later extension Kartal - Kaynarca
2012 M1 extension Aksaray - Yenikapi
2013 Marmaray tunnel under the Bosporus from Yenikapi to Sögütlücesme, combined with modernized suburban railways

Beside M1, which subway lines are now under construction and under planning?

Please write details as far as possible, and also include a map of metro network including current and future metro/subway lines (excluding light rail a.k.a hafif metro and funicular a.k.a tunel)

Beside M1, which subway lines are now under construction and under planning?

Please write details as far as possible, and also include a map of metro network including current and future metro/subway lines (excluding light rail a.k.a hafif metro and funicular a.k.a tunel)

Nice photos
:)

Now Istambul is investing in improving the rail system... Light Rail, metro...
The metro stations look great and modern, but trains are exactly the same as the metro system of Caracas... curious. I suposse that both are built by same builder (Alstom).

Is there any plan for a rail link between Europe and Asia????

Yes, I heard about such a project.

Beside light rail & metro, Istanbul also has a two heritage tram & one modern tram system.

***By the way, when the construction of subway started, was any remaining of 1966 closed tramway were excavated under the roads? Please inform me.

Beside M1, which subway lines are now under construction and under planning?

Please write details as far as possible, and also include a map of metro network including current and future metro/subway lines (excluding light rail a.k.a hafif metro and funicular a.k.a tunel)

Actually, until 1950s, Istanbul had an extensive tram network consisting 56 lines. However, car craze caused the track to be removed one by one and last tram line closed in European side in 1961 and Asian side in 1966. Then came trolleybuses which did not do a good job either and were withdrawn in 1984. We now try to correct the mistakes we did in 1950s.

Dear Serdar Samanli, that's the point you've written. Istanbul was not alone, many other cities around the world like Buenos Aires, Pyongyang, Tianjin etc. once closed there extensive tram systems, and now returning trams as a modern system. The losses would'nt completely recoverable, but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. Great wishes for Istanbul.

I'll write more later, thank you. Please continuously try to correct the mistakes Istanbul did around '60s.

Messi, what is the current status of Kayseri tram & Samsun tram?

Whats d diff b/w light metro n rail??

Beside M1, which subway lines are now under construction and under planning?

Please write details as far as possible, and also include a map of metro network including current and future metro/subway lines (excluding light rail a.k.a hafif metro and funicular a.k.a tunel)

Dear Ashis Mitra,
can you please stop spamming this forum with your questions? Instead of writing to five threads at once, just use this one, as all other have become inactive. Also, for your question you do not need to post. There are several fairly frequent postings of construction updates and maps on this thread and the Bosphorus tunnel thread.

I'm quite sure after reading many articles including wikipedia & www.urbanrail.net that only the M1 is the real subway/metro line of Istanbul, because it is fully underground & uses wide stocks (like other subways around the world). Hence M2 is the light metro (light rail) because it mainly runs on fully reserved track on surface (partly underground) and also uses narrow stocks. In future, I think transport authority should rename this line from M2 to L1 (light rail 1). Also T4 is not actually a tramway. It runs on fully reserved track on surface and elevated (partly underground also). Beside this, M2 & T4 uses same rolling stock. I think it should be renamed from T4 to L2.

However, please don't be impatient. I'm very much interested about Istanbul Metro & tram, because I live in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), and my city has Asia's oldest running electric tram (since 1902) and India's oldest metro (since 1984).

Please don't forget to publish a map or write details about the future extensions or routes about M1 type metro lines in Istanbul.

Will the Asian side metro (which is under construction from Kadikoy) be like M1, or confusingly like M2?

Is there any common alignment between pre 1966 tram & post 1990 tram in Istanbul (including both nostalgic, Moda & Cagdas tramway)? If yeas, please mention.

I'm sure that T4 is not actually a tram line, because it runs fully on right of way including elevated & underground part, and uses same type of stock like M2. I think that in future line M2 & T4 should be renamed as L1 & L2 (L=light rail/light metro).

This thread has no information about pre 1966 tramway network & today's heritage tramways on both side of Bosphorus. Please add those information as much as possible.

At last there is a question - What is the current status of Kayseri tram, Samsun tram & Gazi Antep tram?

Actually, until 1950s, Istanbul had an extensive tram network consisting 56 lines. However, car craze caused the track to be removed one by one and last tram line closed in European side in 1961 and Asian side in 1966.

I'm not sure it's that simple. In my native Copenhagen it's pretty much the same story. BUT this is the case for a very simple reason: the old tram lines were running in the middle of the streets, together with the car, lorry and bicycle traffic. As the car traffic increased exponentially the trams got stuck in the same endless traffic jams as everyone else.

My priors are that it would have been likewise in Istanbul? Among the few European capitals that have kept and nurtured tram lines all along are Brussels and Vienna, and they have done so for a very specific reason: their trams go underground in the centre of town and surface only on the less trafficked roads in the perifery of town. In pretty much the rest of Europe (including Paris where I live) they are now REinventing trams - only this time round the trams are given their own dedicated tracks so that they can run indpendently of the traffic around them.

Amazing pics thanks! I love the Zeytinburnu - Kabatash line. Very frequent timetable. I guess its almost one tram per 2 mins. :D During my last vistit to Istanbul I haven't had a ride on the new light rail because it's not in the city center. I hope next time i'll have the chance to have this experience.

Will the Asian side metro (which is under construction from Kadikoy) be like M1, or confusingly like M2?

Actually, it is the other way around. M1 (Airport-Aksakaray, red on the map) is the name of the light rail metro, M2 the high capacity metro (YenikapiHaciosman, dark green). The new metro in Asia (Kadiköy-Kartal) will be high capacity as well, as will the turquoise line (Kirazli-Olympic Stadium/Basak K.) in the west of town.
@waitingforgod: note that this map is not today, but as the metro should look in the year 2013. Present extent of rail systems is 140 km, half of which was built before 1875. In 2013 the city should have 210 km, while the municipality promises to raise the number to more than 600 km of tracks by 2023, although they are not doing very much for this at the moment.

http://www.trainsofturkey.com/maps/istanbul_tram3.jpg
(Istanbul European trams, geographic)
http://www.trainsofturkey.com/maps/istanbul_tram11.jpg
(Istanbul European trams, schematic)

As you can see, the present-day Taksim-Galata nostalgic tram is just a stub of much longer lines that used to operate through these stops. The present day T1 runs following an older route between Topkapi and Kabatas. It extends further westwards though, and does not continue north of Kabatas to Bebek like the old lines used to, as this is now the exclusive privilege of car owners.

As for the nostalgic tram operating between Kadiköy and Moda - while there used to be a traditional tram between these locations (found a map for this but lost it), it ran along completely different streets than the present day one. It therefore has a much less authentic feel than the popular Taksim-Galata line.

They are not doing much? I'm not sure if there is any other city with similar construction activity.

There is Marmaray u/c
There is Kadiköy-Pendik u/c
There is Esenler-Kirazli u/c
There is Kirazli-Olimpik stad u/c
There is Kirazli-Basaksehir u/c
There is Levent-Darüssafaka u/c
There is Taksim-Yenikapi u/c

They are not doing much? I'm not sure if there is any other city with similar construction activity.

There is Marmaray u/c
There is Kadiköy-Pendik u/c
There is Esenler-Kirazli u/c
There is Kirazli-Olimpik stad u/c
There is Kirazli-Basaksehir u/c
There is Levent-Darüssafaka u/c
There is Taksim-Yenikapi u/c

wow! Indeed :) Only Moscow and Madrid could beat Istanbul, but not anymore :)

Moscow and Madrid have already world's best networks but currently they are not building that much, are they? I mean they don't need to do that since they have already a very dense network.

They are not doing much? I'm not sure if there is any other city with similar construction activity.

What I meant is this: they have not started construction on any new line since about four years. Reports constantly mention that the planning on the Besiktas, Üsküdar, and Beylikdüzü lines and the Kirazli-Bakirköy extension are completed and they could be opened for bidding any minute or that the bidding has actually started, but nothing is happening. So my question is what is happening after 2013 and how do they want to manage to get their 600 km network together?

They shouldn't start any construction before they complete those lines u/c anyway.
Those lines which are u/c right now are part of the first phase (2007-2011) then there is a second phase which the line you mentioned is part of (2010-2014) and the rest is the third phase which will be completed by 2023 latest which is at the same time the 100th year of the Republic of Turkey.

*I'm not 100% sure about the exact years but it should be like that, maybe +/- 1 year.

^^Interesting, many thanks dear Baron. (Do you mind if I call you Maurice? :lol:)

I didn't realise that Old Constantinople had a more extensive tram network than our days - even taking into account the extensions underway. I'm particularly enthralled by the tram line that apparently connected Taksim directly with Eminönü in the old days, without recourse to the Tünel furnicular. Considering how steep those streets are that's some achievement.

Still, even so, this doesn't change my argument much: the new T1 may follow the trace of an old tramline, but it still a fact that T1 runs separately from the car traffic - and I personally think that it would not have been viable unless it were kept separate. I've taken that tram many times and the one part if the trajectory that I tend to dislike (from a traffical viewpoint, mind you. The view is stunning...) is the stretch from Sultan Ahmed to Eminönü. - And that's PRECISELY because there's no room for giving the tram its own separate lanes and, therefore, it slows down to a crawl.

Nope, they have announced that they would/could start these lines several times. In Besiktas, they tore down the Tansas and the halk pazari in expectation of construction in 2006. Now there is a sign on the square advertising the future subway line and a booth where a woman from the muncipality tells people that everything will start very soon. Even then, according to her, they will build the metro in stages, commencing with the stub of Kabatas-Besiktas. Just add it up: at this speed they can never create those additional 400 km in just ten years time (2013-2023).

I would like to go again to Istambul, I been in February this year, but I dint see the Underground, Just in Taksim I saw the small underground with 2 stop I think so. Greetings my friends from Turkey.

I do not know when you were last in ole Constantinople. The problem between Sirkeci and Sultanahmet is basically fixed, there are seperate lanes now (since about 3 years).
The old tram from Karaköy to Istiklal Caddesi did of course not go up straight like the tünel does. It zigzagged a bit. Nonetheless, it must have been a steep ascent. In fact the Istanbulites of the time saw the tight network of electric trams as their city's expression of modern life. Tearing them down was I believe not a popular event.

Nope, they have announced that they would/could start these lines several times. In Besiktas, they tore down the Tansas and the halk pazari in expectation of construction in 2006. Now there is a sign on the square advertising the future subway line and a booth where a woman from the muncipality tells people that everything will start very soon. Even then, according to her, they will build the metro in stages, commencing with the stub of Kabatas-Besiktas. Just add it up: at this speed they can never create those additional 400 km in just ten years time (2013-2023).

Nope, Tansas and the rest was destorey because they wanted to expand the Besiktas square and build a tunnel for cars so that you had a big square at the end. It was a promise before the elections and they forgot it after the elections as usualy. Also the naval museum is going to be rebuilt but so far no action for subway construction.

Here you can see that the Besiktas metro is part of the second phase.http://www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/kurumsal/Birimler/UlasimGenelSekreterYrd/Documents/raylisistemler/popup.htm

Here is the project about the Besiktas square I mentioned above.
http://www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/Documents/KentselDonusumveMeydanlar/meydan/besiktas/images/big/1.jpg

Moscow and Madrid have already world's best networks but currently they are not building that much, are they? I mean they don't need to do that since they have already a very dense network.
That's what I'm saying. :) that they could beat Istanbul a few years ago, but not anymore :) My opinion is that Istanbul has to focus a little bit more in Metro systems and not so much light-rail. The distanses are huge and have to be covered by a huge network :) Light rail is a little bit inadequate for such a huge city. Well it can help for small distances.
btw do they plan an underwater tunnel in Besiktas to the Asian side or just to a new underground avenue?

wow! many old lines are used by new ones on the same route :) Are there any plans to expand the tram from Besiktas to Ortakoy? This could replace some bus lines. I think there's enough space along the coastal Avenue for the tram extension.

Originally the Tram no. 1 was supposed to be extended from Kabatas at least to Besiktas (note that Kabatas does not look like a proper last stop but more like temporary). However critics claimed that this would hinder car traffic, as there are presently 4 lanes of traffic between Dolmabahce and Besiktas. So it was decided this part should be served by a subway. Since then 3 years have passed and (see Istanbul metro thread) no sign of any activity. Also the mayor has promised a subway all the way up the Bosporus. A tram up the Bosporus would be the perfect solution, it would be great for sunday trips and popular, but for this one would have to seriously limit car traffic (especially through the tight streets in the old villages), and as in Istanbul it is still considered the priviledge of cars to go where ever they please, this will not happen. Pedestrians strolling along the sea will have to continue to be inhaling intoxicating amounts of car exhaust and when they want to leave, suffer in traffic jammed buses.

No underwater tunnel anytime soon here. Just a way of reuniting the carsi (center) of Besiktas with the sea, at present divided by one of the busiest streets of the city and difficult to cross. The planned subway should follow the course of the street, i.e. parallel to the sea when coming from the left of the picture, then turning 90° to head inland and uphill. Problem is, as far as I know, that the plans for the car tunnel completely ignores the subway plan and also has no idea what to do with the countless busses and mini busses terminating in Besiktas.

Actually, it is the other way around. M1 (Airport-Aksakaray, red on the map) is the name of the light rail metro, M2 the high capacity metro (YenikapiHaciosman, dark green). The new metro in Asia (Kadiköy-Kartal) will be high capacity as well, as will the turquoise line (Kirazli-Olympic Stadium/Basak K.) in the west of town.
@waitingforgod: note that this map is not today, but as the metro should look in the year 2013. Present extent of rail systems is 140 km, half of which was built before 1875. In 2013 the city should have 210 km, while the municipality promises to raise the number to more than 600 km of tracks by 2023, although they are not doing very much for this at the moment.

Thanks for knowing that Asina side metro will also be like M2, i.e true metro/subway.

I've recently read other plans also. Now my questions are -

1.Will the Otogar-Bağcılar-Başakşehir-Olimpiyat Stadı line & Kadıköy-Kartal line use M2 style wide metro stock? Or M1 style narrow light rail stock? Any idea? Please write.
2.Is the subway (M2) running extended now from 4 Levent to Maslak & from Taksim to Yenikapi?
3.Will this line further run from Maslak to Istinye, from Yenikapi to Basaksehir via Bakırköy and Ikrselli Deresi, from Ikrselli Deresi to Basaksehir, from Bakırköy to Bakırköy IDO & from Ikrselli Deresi to Sefakoy in future?
4.Will there be a branch line from Gayrettepe to Bogazici University in future?
5.Will there be a new line from Sisli to Sishane via Okmaydani, & from Okmaydani to Merier in future?
6.Will there be a new line from Uskuder to Dudullo?

If all these routes are under construction/planned, then please answer me that will those lines use M2 style wide metro stock? Or M1 style narrow light rail stock?

Please answer me one by one, mentioning the last paragraph's question.

What is the target of opening the turquoise line(in west) and the brown line (probably the Asian side metro)?

The stations names of those planned lines are not prominent. Can anyone write those clearly?

T1 was previously served by high floor ABB light rail stocks, which was later transferred to M1. T1 is now served by low floor Bombardier tram stocks. So now this is really a modern tram line.

But T2 & T4 is using high floor ABB & Rotem light rail stocks. Are there any plans to replace these line’s stocks also later by low floor Bombardier tram stocks? If not, it should be renamed as light rail/ light metro lines, not tram lines.

This thread still does not much information about previously closed trams before 1966, and the The T3 & T5 heritage trams, opened respectively in 1990 & 2003. Please add those.

I’ve some questions; please answer me one by one –

1.Will there be a branch line from Zeytenburnu to Bakırköy IDO University & from Eminonu to Bayrampasa in future?
2.Will this line further run from Bagcilar to Spor Satonu in future?
3.Will there be a new line from Kadikoy to Bostancy?
If all these routes are under construction/planned, then please answer me that will those lines use T2 & T4 style high floor light rail stock? Or T1 style low floor tram stock?

*Is there any remaining present of the previous tram system in Istanbul, which was closed in 1966?
*Will be there any connection in future between heritage & modern tram?

Is this a quiz?

1.Will the Otogar-Bağcılar-Başakşehir-Olimpiyat Stadı line & Kadıköy-Kartal line use M2 style wide metro stock? Or M1 style narrow light rail stock? Any idea? Please write.
They are two seperate lines (see map above). Otogar-Kirazli will be a branch line of M1, so obviously light rail, Kirazli to Olympic Stadium with branch to Basaksehir (turquoise line) wide metro stock.
2.Is the subway (M2) running extended now from 4 Levent to Maslak & from Taksim to Yenikapi?
Yes, but as 3 seperate lines. Supposedly in Feb. 2010 they will run as a single line.
3.Will this line further run from Maslak to Istinye, from Yenikapi to Basaksehir via Bakırköy and Ikrselli Deresi, from Ikrselli Deresi to Basaksehir, from Bakırköy to Bakırköy IDO & from Ikrselli Deresi to Sefakoy in future?
Maslak to Istiniye: 2 stations are u/c (until Haciosman). There is an intent to continue the line down to the Bosphorus just before Sariyer pier, but no concrete plans yet;
Yenikapi to Bakirköy-Incirli (M2): the plan is approved by the municpality, but they do not seem to give priority to this extension.
Bakirköy IDO to Basaksehir: this is a southern extension of the turquoise map on the line. This is one of the four priority projects that is supposed to start next (project development completed, ready for bidding at any time).
4.Will there be a branch line from Gayrettepe to Bogazici University in future?
This is indicated on some municipal maps, but recently the mayor talked of linking bogazici university by monorail to Levent station.
5.Will there be a new line from Sisli to Sishane via Okmaydani, & from Okmaydani to Merier in future?
This is one of the four priority projects (Kabatas-Besiktas-Sisli-Okmeydani-Alibeyköy-Mahmutbey).
6.Will there be a new line from Uskuder to Dudullo?
This is one of the four priority projects.
If all these routes are under construction/planned, then please answer me that will those lines use M2 style wide metro stock? Or M1 style narrow light rail stock?
According to my knowledge, Bakirköy IDO extension and Kabatas-Mahmutbey will be wide metro stock (70,000 passenger/h capacity), while the Üsküdar-Dudullu and the fourth priority line (Bakirköy Incirli-Beylikdüzü) are planned to be narrow metro stock (45,000 pas./h).
Please answer me one by one, mentioning the last paragraph's question.

What is the target of opening the turquoise line(in west)
Serving the Olympic Stadium which was built in the middle of nowhere.
and the brown line (probably the Asian side metro)?
Relieving commuter traffic, this being one of the busiest routes (people work in Europe, than take the ferry and head eastwards to sleep).
Always at your service, the Baron

- You really want to know everything. Hope the Istanbul municpality will hire you as its ambassador.

#But T2 & T4 is using high floor ABB & Rotem light rail stocks. Are there any plans to replace these line’s stocks also later by low floor Bombardier tram stocks? If not, it should be renamed as light rail/ light metro lines, not tram lines.
- Technically the stock is compatible. On T4 the municipality promises to introduce the first tram made in Turkey. For more news on rolling stock, see http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1015023
# This thread still does not much information about previously closed trams before 1966, and the The T3 & T5 heritage trams, opened respectively in 1990 & 2003. Please add those.
- T5 is not the official number of the Taksim-Tünel nostalgic tram. it has no real number, as it is operated by a different municipal company.
# I’ve some questions; please answer me one by one –

1.Will there be a branch line from Zeytenburnu to Bakırköy IDO University & from Eminonu to Bayrampasa in future?
2.Will this line further run from Bagcilar to Spor Satonu in future?
3.Will there be a new line from Kadikoy to Bostancy?

- All these lines are projected for later stages of transport development, will not see construction anytime soon (as in the next 10 years). Only line which is already approved by the municpality, but not opened for bidding yet is an Eminönü-Alibeyköy extension (along the southern coast of the Golden Horn).

# If all these routes are under construction/planned, then please answer me that will those lines use T2 & T4 style high floor light rail stock? Or T1 style low floor tram stock?
- In ten years, you will have to worry about that.
*Is there any remaining present of the previous tram system in Istanbul, which was closed in 1966?
- no tracks whatsoever. Possibly, some tram depot somewhere...
*Will be there any connection in future between heritage & modern tram?[/QUOTE]
- no

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/9195/ystanbul1.jpg

I've collected some old photos from internet of the pre 1966 tram network. Can anybody inform about the places & snap the exact position how it shows today? Please follow the following format -
photo 7 - Galata
photo 13 - Taksim etc.

Waiting eagerly for reply.

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/8818/57005614zp8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This type of stock was made by whom? Which line(s) is/are using it.

Line 1 and Line 2 connections

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/4778/11mr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/2404/14jt8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
[\QUOTE]

Line 2 stocks are actually light rail stock.

T1 was previously served by high floor ABB light rail stocks, which was later transferred to M1. T1 is now served by low floor Bombardier tram stocks. So now this is really a modern tram line.


Yes, T1 is a low-floor modern tram line now. They also improved the stations and the appearance of the track now. It looks quite modern now.

First it looked like that in the 90's. ABB high-floor vehicles with high floor stations.
http://i46.tinypic.com/1548xfq.jpg


Then the trams were replaced by low-floor Bombardiers and low-floor stations
http://lh4.ggpht.com/AbaAba123/RmKb1XBEZCI/AAAAAAAAA0g/qf59x1Km8FQ/s400/20+-+Tram+System.JPG


And finally the track was modernized. It looks more suitable to its surroundings now.

Used to look like that
http://i49.tinypic.com/281afyd.jpg

And now:
http://i50.tinypic.com/6h72w5.jpg




But T2 & T4 is using high floor ABB & Rotem light rail stocks. Are there any plans to replace these line’s stocks also later by low floor Bombardier tram stocks? If not, it should be renamed as light rail/ light metro lines, not tram lines.

T1 & T2 is actually one line. T1 line was extended but the number of vehicles was not enough for the extended line so they bought some old high-floor trams from Cologne and used them on T2.

Those from Cologne:
http://istanbululasim.net/phpBB2/userpix/34_yusufpaa_kta_1.jpg

But now Alstoms began to arrive in Istanbul (37 in number) and they will make one line out of two. So there won't be t1+t2 but just t1 on which Alstoms and Bombardiers will run together. (55 bombardier + 37 alstom)

Those are the Alstoms:
http://www.railwaygazette.com/typo3temp/pics/cae93124c4.jpg


About the rest of your questions, I'm sorry I don't have knowledge about historic lines and regarding the other questions about the lines plans exist about these lines but they are not on the agenda, there are some more important lines to be constructed. The lines which are planned won't be tram lines so yes they will use high-floor trains.

When the digging for M2 started, were the tram tracks of pre 1966 system (covered by asphult) opened? If yes, please write readers' experience.

[QUOTE=Baron Hirsch;47086711*Is there any remaining present of the previous tram system in Istanbul, which was closed in 1966?
- no tracks whatsoever. Possibly, some tram depot somewhere...
[/QUOTE]

Can anybody write here about the former depots/ snap photos of those depots?

When the track laying of Nostalgik, Moda & Cagdas tramvay started, were the tracks of former system's (covered by asphult) opened? If yes, please write about those here. Waiting eagerly.

Can anybody say about the places of those grayscale photos posted above by me?

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1223/istanbultrammap.png

I've created this map by studying internet, comparing both old and now tram lines. Is this map correct? Please send reply.

In the map you made at asian side you should correct as "Altiyol" you wrote aitriyal.
And in European you wrote harbin and this should be "Harbiye"
the map is almost correct.
A. The former depots as i know are as follows.
Asian side- Bağlarbaşı , Hasanpaşa
European side- Aksaray , Beşiktaş, Şişli
B. Nostalgic Moda tracks are not older tracks they were made totally new on the former tram route mostly.
C.the places in your pictures are,
1.Laleli 2.Galatasaray 3.Galata bridge 4.Pangalti 5.Taksim 6.Karakoy or Galata 7.Galata bridge 8.Galata bridge 9.Eminonu 10.Fatih 11.Galata bridge 12.Eminonu 13.Taksim

The digging of M2 started in 1992.
When the old tram system closed in 1966 all the tram tracks were removed in time.So there are no any covered tracks existing under asphalt in Istanbul .

Thank you very very much, Hokomoko. A tram & metro friend like you is really rare. Keep updating.

hey! this is the map from wikipedia:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Istanbul_Rapid_Transit_Map.png
Can someone please tell me what's that yellow line . It's the first time i see it. Is it a tram or metro?

In the map it says it is a busway, not a tram or a metro line.

It is "metrobüs" A special buslane used by high capacity buses, similar capacity to tramways.

http://www.yapi.com.tr/V_Images/2009/haberler/68292_metrobus.jpg

http://otobusmaceralari.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/metrobus.jpg

^^Interesting, thanks. In France these bus lines in dedicated lanes have often been used as a precursor for tram lines. Sortof like, "testing the market" at an affordable price. I speculate the authorities in Istanbul may have similar thoughts? The metrobus line (or at least the part from Zeytinburnu and eastward) looks like urban planners' dream location for a circular light rail line.

^^Interesting, thanks. In France these bus lines in dedicated lanes have often been used as a precursor for tram lines. Sortof like, "testing the market" at an affordable price. I speculate the authorities in Istanbul may have similar thoughts? The metrobus line (or at least the part from Zeytinburnu and eastward) looks like urban planners' dream location for a circular light rail line.

We wish that would be the case. Several people have suggested this, but it is considered by the municipality as a fast and cheap to build alternative to regular metro lines. While regular metro construction has taken years, these bus lanes were built in a matter of months. As the bus lane is presently the only rapid transit system spanning a large part of the city from East to West (at least until 2013 when the first RER-style line MArmaray is finished) it is used to the limits of its capacity and beyond.

Look at this link
http://www.trainsofturkey.com/maps.htm

Probably the only Example of the world, that two subway lines – (present running red & future running cyan) will be separate, and will not connect by metro. It’ll be connected by light rail.

nice

Recently I found three very good links of Istanbul tram –
1) For pre 1966 tram, click – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Istanbul
2) For heritage tram, click – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_nostalgic_tram
3) For modern tram, click - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_modern_tram

Rotem LRV34 cars are in use, here are some pictures under last snow....
http://www.istanbululasim.net/phpBB2/userpix/15_Dscn4147_1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/phpBB2/userpix/15_Dscn4150_1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/phpBB2/userpix/15_Dscn4152_1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/phpBB2/userpix/15_Dscn4151_1.jpg

30 new Citadis 301 evolution tramcars are on production line for Istanbul T1 :
http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/6_istanbul_citadis1_1.jpg

Merhaba hokomoko, sitemizdeki dizinde değişiklik olduğu için foto görünmüyordu mesajını editleyerek alıntıladım, ayrıca bu araçların teslim süreci devam ediyor, önümüzdeki aylar içerisinde işletmeye alınmaları planlanıyordu.

Bunlarda diğer mesajındaki fotolar, Rotem LRV34 serisi araçlar

Rotem LRV34 cars are in use, here are some pictures under last snow....
http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/15_Dscn4147_1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/15_Dscn4150_1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/15_Dscn4152_1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/15_Dscn4151_1.jpg

tamamdıııır

what happens to RTE????I can't see any photos of them

what happens to RTE????I can't see any photos of them

here it is;

this is first Prototype - RTE2000
http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/6_rte7_1.jpg

and this train its RTE2009
http://fotogaleri.haber7.com/inner//907020090317094755141.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/6_rte20093_1.jpg

Is it a tram-train or only a tram ?

It's a parently just a tram train well it's tram called tram train.

It is not train.

4. Levent - Hacıosman Metro Hattı Atatürk Oto Sanayi - Darüşşafaka
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4361803281_e8eac1dfe3_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4364543599_67d7625ece_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4365311324_3143f49971_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4365311028_d8044aa089_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4364545705_b8236a9b4d_o.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/f0f/f0feaa54472ed435c8df9c2c12686f13.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/8b1/8b1f23559fea8bccb04963b44741e80b.jpg

New off. map
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4777282770_cc5cb2ba41_o.jpg
red = u/c
blue = icompleted
light Blue = Plans finalized or semi-finalized, construction approved
Yellow = Early planning phase

Şu an istanbulun kaç km metrosu var.Kaç km de inşaat halinde bilen var mı ?

Şu an istanbulun kaç km metrosu var.Kaç km de inşaat halinde bilen var mı ?

Istanbul has at present 144.83 km of various rail-bound public transport systems.
Half of these (72 km) are made up of the suburban rails (banliyö) which were completed in 1873 and are operated by the national railway company (TCDD).
The other half (75.83) are various systems operated by the municipality (IETT, IstanbulUlasim), which with the exception of the Karaköy underground funicular from 1875 were all built between 1989 and today. They include the metro, so-called light metro, tram both modern and nostalgic, underground funicular and ski-lift-style funiculars.
Under construction are another 68.95 km of metro lines plus the underground section of Marmaray, all to be completed officially by 2013, but maybe they will not make that date. Thus by 2013 or sometime later, the city should have 217 km of rail systems.
The municipality recently applied to the Ministry of Transport for the government to construct another 78 km of metro. It is the declared goal of the municipality to increase the total number of rail systems to over 600 km by 2023, but this looks out of the question at the moment. More likely it will be something between 300 and 400.

what happens to RTE????I can't see any photos of them

The RTE2000 is still running. I saw him a few days ago on T4.

Complete cabview of the Istanbul Metrobus. Note the number of Mercedes CapaCity's !

Deel 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDPVU8u9Ud4
Deel 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWpNwrZ4yNk
Deel 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZBpoiRNWxo
Deel 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diKJZzOK7uY
Deel 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZVf5ttoORI
Deel 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6pDjVA6DQc
Deel 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAxNrO8J7Yk
Deel 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgZcwe3WvoY
Deel 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAeHEV3WpRI

Istanbul New Tram
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/5147910253_36e59ac6b9_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenpixel/5147910253/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/5033474355_362922c3af_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allhype/5033474355/

Thanks for the pics, nazrey, but be careful with the word "new". There are one or two different models in service on other tramlines which are newer, especially from Rotem on T4, and there are some really new ones by Alstom, which should start also to run on T1, hopefully by March. Some Alstom models have been waiting in the depots since last March (see one page back), but rumor is they will finally see the light of day next year (thank God for elections).

Olmpiyat stadina giden metro acildimi?

When exactly is expected to be an open line to the Olympic Stadium and Basaksehir?

Olympic Stadium/Basak Konutlari Metro is undergoing test rides, there is still ongoing work at some stations, I believe. The big problem is that work on the Esenler extension station, Bagcilar, has not even begun yet, as the station is supposed to become a kind of shopping mall and thus needs major construction. Also Kirazli, supposed to become a four direction intersection station and some of the other major stations such as Ikitelli Güney are possbily not finished.
Rayturk has announced that the municipality will go ahead with a partial inauguration of those parts where traffic is possible in order to at least inaugurate something before the elections (June).

By the end of 2011 this new subway line will be in service also, the first cars has been delivered and railed.Cars are building in CAF plant at Spain.
http://www.fotothing.com/photos/a33/a33ace6a53e4beb33f5958ed16d2f4b9.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/9a0/9a04de72de765641eb2bf1a2dad7e098.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/bf3/bf3dd2c20a114c7c54b31dfa1f0f59a1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/6_m45_1.jpg

http://www.istanbululasim.net/userpix/6_m49_1.jpg

The new 35 Citadis trams are finally in service. On the main tram tracks of Istanbul Bombardier and Citadis trams are running together...
http://www.fotothing.com/photos/81e/81e8b9639bf83b09ae476dc54a40230a.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/8ac/8ac2bd0728147343795bedf737f8e08c.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/228/228d1cb760f481c437fddbb1b8c5dd72.jpg

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/a3b/a3be0b44d0df57d16666e71cc2f740ce.jpg

These trams looks smaller than the existing Bombardier-trams. Why didnt they order 60m trams or trams with one cabin (and more capacity)? The T1 is always (over)crowded. Or are these trams cheaper?

Coupled Citadis of Tunis, Tunesia.
http://www.citadismag.transport.alstom.com/planisphere/tunis1.jpg
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/tunisialightrail/images/6-citadis-trams.jpg

Sheet of the 54m Combino (also availabel in 64m)
http://www.mobility.siemens.com/shared/data/pdf/ts_mt/combino_plus_e.pdf

The new 35 Citadis trams are finally in service. On the main tram tracks of Istanbul Bombardier and Citadis trams are running together...



Any chance of interior photos of the Citadis hokomoko? :)

I found these pics somewhere on the interwebz:

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/47b/47bb963a77d523857f31ab1698fcaee0_f9f.jpg
http://www.fotothing.com/photos/8ad/8ade673e506325ce0491df2f568f8d2b_06b.jpg

These were taken by me, interior can be seen here .-)

When metro will be run on Asian side, will it be fully underground & with 3rd rail like European side? Or different?

Recently I’ve confused between the tram-light rail-metro-suburban train terms in Istanbul.

www.lrta.org, wikipedia, www.urbanrail.net & www.subways.net all says that M1 and T4 are light rail, but official map is showing that M1 is also metro, and T4 is also tram. Also, some sites say that all suburban rail lines including future Marmaray will be converted to metro. I totally get confused.

Which definition is true? An urban rail fan of istanbul please clears this.

My opinion is –
1) T1 to T3 & T4 are true tram lines. T3 & T5 is heritage system, and T1 & T2 is modern system. T1 & T2 uses low floor vehicles, and run almost in street level with lower speed, although higher than T3 & T5. It even runs in some congested narrow streets.
2) M2 is the only true metro line. It uses broad stocks, runs fully underground with 3rd rail.
3) M1 and T4 is light rail. Those are heavier than tram, runs fully or reserved/elevated/underground track, use high floor vehicles and with high speed, although slower than M2.
4) Rest of the rail lines are suburban trains, because they uses overhead wire, completely different types of rolling stock than M2, and serves suburbs of Istanbul. The Marmaray will be also suburban rail, because it will connect both Asian & European sides train by an undersea tunnel, which will also use the same rolling stock is used now.

I’ve some questions (arose after viewing some websites). Please answer one by one –
1) Is there a plan to convert T4 line from light rail to tram in future?
2) Is now T1 & T2 running continuously?
3) When the construction of MODERN TRAMWAYS started, were the previous tram tracks (closed in sixties) discovered under the road surface in the time of digging?
4) Is there any remaining of previous tram network in Istanbul?

*Lots of questions, I will try to answer. *

www.lrta.org, wikipedia, www.urbanrail.net & www.subways.net all says that M1 and T4 are light rail, but official map is showing that M1 is also metro, and T4 is also tram. Also, some sites say that all suburban rail lines including future Marmaray will be converted to metro. I totally get confused.

*The operating company does not officially distinguish light rail systems, just trams, metros, suburban, and nostalgic tram.*

Which definition is true? An urban rail fan of istanbul please clears this.

My opinion is –
1) T1 to T3 & T4 are true tram lines. T3 & T5 is heritage system, and T1 & T2 is modern system. T1 & T2 uses low floor vehicles, and run almost in street level with lower speed, although higher than T3 & T5. It even runs in some congested narrow streets.
* Basically correct except for T4 and the last sentence. T1(and former T2) run almost completely on their own track separated from car traffic, but have level crossings. The problems of the congested narrow streets was solved a few years back.*
2) M2 is the only true metro line. It uses broad stocks, runs fully underground with 3rd rail.
* Correct until the Kadiköy line you mention above is in service, hopefully as of Dec. 31, 2011.*
3) M1 and T4 is light rail. Those are heavier than tram, runs fully or reserved/elevated/underground track, use high floor vehicles and with high speed, although slower than M2.
* M1 is light rail. It consists of tram carriages, but operates with about four of them per train. Electricity is per overhead wire, like with trams naturally. tracks are fully isolated from other traffic. As the systems are interoperable, out of service trams from T1 can be transported to their depot via M1 tracks.
The real problem to classify is T4. It runs tram carriages just in double traction, therefore is no longer than a tram, gets its electricity per overhead wire, and when operating above ground has level crossings and small tram-like platforms. However, about half the line and half the stations run underground on isolated track. I would tend to see it as a more sophisticated tram, as its capacity is no more than that, comparable to some tram lines in Vienna or Cologne, but some prefer to classify it as a very low capacity light metro because of its 50% underground track.*
4) Rest of the rail lines are suburban trains, because they uses overhead wire, completely different types of rolling stock than M2, and serves suburbs of Istanbul. The Marmaray will be also suburban rail, because it will connect both Asian & European sides train by an undersea tunnel, which will also use the same rolling stock is used now.
* Not the same rolling stock, but working to the same specifications, as you mentioned: overhead high-voltage wire, larger in size, etc. "Suburban train" (banliyö) sounds sleazy in Turkish, whereas "metro" sounds cooler, that is why Marmaray is advertised as the latter.

I’ve some questions (arose after viewing some websites). Please answer one by one –
1) Is there a plan to convert T4 line from light rail to tram in future?
* No, see above*
2) Is now T1 & T2 running continuously?
* yes, all the line is now known as T1*
3) When the construction of MODERN TRAMWAYS started, were the previous tram tracks (closed in sixties) discovered under the road surface in the time of digging?
* Oh come on, you have asked this question hundreds of times, and we have replied you hundreds of times, why do you keep forgetting? No, in Istanbul, people like to destroy history for good.*
4) Is there any remaining of previous tram network in Istanbul?
* See answer to number 3*

What are the consequences of the merge of T1 and T2? Are all the old former Cologne-trams now out of service? Are the frequencies higher now?

How many of the new tramway stock is now in service? I cannot find any videos of pictures of them in service.

We now have a mix of the standard blue trams, the new Alstoms and the Cologne vintage ones. Standard blue still dominates by far. This probably means there is a higher frequency, and this was promised upon the introduction of the Alstoms, but I believe it effects just parts of the line. As capacity at Kabatas is limited (only 2 trams can be at that final stop at one time, as it was not designed to be the final stop), I believe they still only depart every 5 minutes. There seem to be more trams which turn back at Eminönü, which used to only happen in rush hour before, bringing avarage intervals up to about 3 minutes between there and Ögrenci Yurdu. But I have not studied the schedules (the website of the operating company sXXXs), so these are just vague impressions.

PS The best map of Istanbul rail systems is the one available on wikipedia under the entry Istanbul public transport, rapid transit or other. It also correctly differentiates between the different forms of transport Ashis Mitra is concerned about. Thanks, Maximilian!

Students of Boğaziçi University singing Battle of Jericho in İstanbul Metro
1ePK_tq5JKo

Wow, great! Congratulations, dear students from Bogazici...!!! Istanbul is great city with great people…-:)

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF YSTANBUL TRAM

I found that typing TRAMS IN ISTANBUL in wikipedia will show best articles about Istanbul’s previous tram network, heritage tram & modern tram details.

Thank you Baron Hirsch for trying to less my confusion.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Istanbul_Rapid_Transit_Map.png

By looking this map it creates quite confusion and questions.

1) I think Istanbul is the only city which has separate trams and separate metros. Eg. In future M4 and M5 will be constructed, but they will not be connected with M2 (although will be connected by light rail M3 and suburban rail B1).
2) This map says about future metro M6, but where is the M6? I can’t find!!
3) I heard also metro M7 is under construction, but where is the M7? I can’t find!!
4) Although the name is T4, but it is actually a light rail line like M1. I heard like T1 & T2, in future T4 will also use Citadis trams. Has T4 started using Citadis tram? If not then when?

1) I think Istanbul is the only city which has separate trams and separate metros. Eg. In future M4 and M5 will be constructed, but they will not be connected with M2 (although will be connected by light rail M3 and suburban rail B1).
2) This map says about future metro M6, but where is the M6? I can’t find!!
3) I heard also metro M7 is under construction, but where is the M7? I can’t find!!
4) Although the name is T4, but it is actually a light rail line like M1. I heard like T1 & T2, in future T4 will also use Citadis trams. Has T4 started using Citadis tram? If not then when?

1) Interconnections are naturally limited in a city with the sea in the middle and which is stretched over 100 kms from East to West. However, we have in the Turkish forum often complained about the lack of interoperability in Istanbul. As the sea is very deep, building tunnels underwater costs billions and takes a log time. Nonetheless, many of us were quite angry when the government announced it would build a tunnel for cars only (instead of, as originally intended, mixed cars and metro) in the precise location where M4 could have been extended to the European side to Yenikapi.
There are plans to extend both M2 and M5 to meet at Bakirköy-Incirli (presently only served by M1). However this is a long-term project.
2) M6 is a metro due to be built from the future Üsküdar station of Marmaray in a northeasterly direction. Maximilian had already put it on the map, as the tender was out and construction seemed iminent. However, the municipality decided it did not like the results of the tender and announced it would launch a new one, but until now did not. So Maximilian took it off the map again.
3) M7? Do not remember. Probably that refers to the Besiktas line (will start at Kabatas (T1), follow the Bosporus to the north, then circle inland to Sisli (M2), from where it will continue westwards to Mahmutbey (M5). It has been on the drawing board for years, but as the municipality prefers to invest its own funds into car tunnels and highways, no new metro construction has begun in this city since 2006.
4) T4, as I said, is more a hybrid between tram and light rail. It uses Rotem rolling stock, plus older material.

Had this map been posted already?

http://www.resortistanbul.com/imagenes/trasnport_istanbul.png

Gives a nice overview of proposed projects, some of which I think have been scrapped already.

The projects shown on the map are still all on the agenda somehow, although some of them have been changed in route, type of rail service or so. It is at any rate not very precise, unlike Maximilian's more recent maps, and the number system for non-existent (i.e. planned) lines has been changed. Remember the mayor still promises to bring the number of rail kilometers in this city up to some staggering 600 km in 2023, even though at his present rate of opening up two metro stations last year, one this year, he is more likely talking of the 2323.
The official map in the Istanbul metro now promises that M3, M4, and M5 will all open next year, 2012.

Man SL we use those guys since 1983 :evil:
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_3b5ceb00.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312427)
ECE-R 49
Ikarus 260
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_4091aae8.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312432)
ECE-R 49
Ikarus ??
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_a64e25ac.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312433)
CNG
Mercedes Connecto O345
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_299bc1b3.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312547)
EURO II, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
Mercedes Citaro
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_7811dd6a.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312584)
EURO III, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
Mercedes Capacity
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_bf113462.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312592)
EURO V, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
APTS-PHILEAS
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_a7744530.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312598)
EURO IV, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
DAF Optare
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_8964a17c.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312609)
EURO I
DAF MJT
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_2d5417ea.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312619)
EURO III, air condition
BMC Procity
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_abd6c701.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312637)
EURO V, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
Güleryüz Cobra LF
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_b39f7d33.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312641)
EURO V, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
Mercedes Connecto 2007
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_c407041e.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312657)
EURO V, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
Otokar Doruk
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_3a9e010d.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312690)
EURO V, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
Temsa Avenue
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_13b3e7e8.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312691)
EURO V, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera
Tezauto 280 LF
http://ressim.net/s/thumb/thumb_75b84a1e.jpg (http://www.ressim.net/i/4312694)
EURO V, plasma lcd monitor, air condition,security camera

So then according to your map, the Marmaray project will host suburban commuter trains but not the metro. Is that correct?

Where is the Metrobus line on maps ?

So then according to your map, the Marmaray project will host suburban commuter trains but not the metro. Is that correct?
It will host suburban trains, but those suburban trains are metro-style. They have longitudinal seating and the such.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/5780252800_46dffcb7ea_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardac/5780252800/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/5779703361_38f415b093_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardac/5779703361/

COMBINATION OF OLD & NEW SYSTEM

Current route T3 (heritage) uses former route 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 entirely or partly.

Current route T5 (heritage) uses former route 20 partly.

Current route T1 (modern) uses former route 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 32, 33 and 34 from Kabatas to Topkapi.

How history repeats!!!

1) Route T3 entirely has same alignment with former track on Istikal Caddesi. Former alignment was double-track and shared with automobiles, but now it is mostly single track with crossovers & the street is only for walking & tram. No automobiles allowed.
2) Route T5 has almost half part common with former system on Bahariye Street. Formerly there was double track from Kadikoy to Moda, and trams ran up & down, but now the heritage tram moves as a single line continuous loop from Kadikoy to Kadikoy via Moda.
3) Route T1 has also almost half part common with former system. The former routes were fully unreserved, but the new route is mostly on reserved track including Galata Bridge.

So Galata Serai, Karakoy, Sirkeci, Bayazid, Aksaray, Altiyol etc. is now served again by tram!!! Ooooh, I just can’t imagine.

I’m also suggesting, new tramway should also run up to Sisli & Bebek.

Istanbul’s great tram network was closed in 1966 for some blunt reasons –

“The infrastructure and fleet of the systems that closed service in the 1960's were usually in very bad condition. So it was easier and cheaper for the companies to change to bus-service because the cities made the streets often completely new in these days because of the many new cars. They also thought that there is no place for trams on the streets anymore and that the old and slowly trams will disturb the car- and bus-traffic.”

If you see to many European cities, which is also very old, even older and congested than Istanbul, was prevented the world’s sixties trend to close tram networks. They patiently improved their infrastructure & fleets step by step, and imported sometimes foreign trams also. They gradually increased their network with both reserved and unreserved track. Istanbul could do that. By gradually improving rolling stocks looking those cities, they can maintain their network.

1) The advent of buses and large scale competition meant that buses often ran the same routes as the trams and would jump in front in order to "grab" customers.
Buses are still present in Istanbul, even much more than before. Aren’t they competing with tram now? If now tram can attract more people than bus, I think if Istanbul Transport Authority should be patient, trams would sure survived, even defeat bus. Actually they started following other cities for withdrawing tram during forties.

2) While buses were able to move into Istanbul's expanding hinterland quicker and at less cost that the trams.
Current tram network has expanded many long distances, like Baglicar, and the infrastructure is more expensive like bus (includes reserved track, masts, wires, stops, bridges etc.) But they are very popular for commuters than bus. If now they can re-make that costly infrastructure, why not past? Previous network was much ordinary than present. Actually they were lobbying the automobile industry, and the industry started marketing automobiles, like many cities around the world.

3) The belief that trams were outdated and old technology Meanwhile,
If tram is really outdated, why the transport authority returned it in Istanbul? It clearly shows that outdated technology idea was completely fake.

4) There was a belief that buses were cheaper to run than trams.
Although initial construction cost of tramway network is higher, but it is profitable for long term, because buses runs on diesel, which is being costly month by month over the world, and also decreasing from nature’s storage. Diesel can’t be made artificially, but electricity can make from various sources, like air, water, tide etc, so it is unlimited, and it is also pollution free.

5) The system was in a poor state of repair.
Many cities around the Europe, has maintained tram, struggling over World War 2, by investing seriously on track & rolling stocks. Even I live in Kolkata. India is poorer than Turkey, but my city has still a good tram network. When Istanbul closed their tram in 1966, Kolkata’s tram was its top state, both with income & service. So “impossible repairing” is just another lie.

6) The overcrowded and heaving trams running at a high frequency, in competition with growing private motor car and bus use, created congestion.
Buses are still present in Istanbul, even much more than before. Aren’t they competing with tram now? If now tram can attract more people than bus, I think if Istanbul Transport Authority should be patient, trams would sure survived, even defeat bus. It says that trams were overcrowded, it means were very popular among the citizens, and also ran on high frequency, means a reliable service. Actually they started following other cities for withdrawing tram during sixties.

7) Competition from the private car, private bus operators and the perception of traffic congestion led to the gradual closure of lines from the 1940s.
Despite the competition with automobile, they were very popular among citizens due to high frequency. Almost half part of the former network was on reserved track, which ensures no clash with cars & buses. At least they can maintain those routes, if the question of congestion arrives. Actually they were lobbying the automobile industry, and the industry started marketing automobiles, like many cities around the world.

8) Closure was supported by the authority, but generally went against public opinion.
It is very natural that ordinary people can’t be against with tram. Tram is pollution free, gentle and a status symbol of a civilized city. Even I live in Kolkata. India is poorer than Turkey, but my city has still a good tram network. When Istanbul closed their tram in 1966, Kolkata’s tram was its top state, both with income & service.

Istanbul’s previous tram survived from 1913 to 1966 and closed for those fake reasons. Tram reopened in 1992. So are we sure that around 2045, Istanbul will not again close its tram for some updated closure reasons?

COMBINATION OF OLD & NEW SYSTEM

Current route T3 (heritage) uses former route 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 entirely or partly.

Current route T5 (heritage) uses former route 20 partly.

Current route T1 (modern) uses former route 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 32, 33 and 34 from Kabatas to Topkapi.

How history repeats!!!

1) Route T3 entirely has same alignment with former track on Istikal Caddesi. Former alignment was double-track and shared with automobiles, but now it is mostly single track with crossovers & the street is only for walking & tram. No automobiles allowed.
2) Route T5 has almost half part common with former system on Bahariye Street. Formerly there was double track from Kadikoy to Moda, and trams ran up & down, but now the heritage tram moves as a single line continuous loop from Kadikoy to Kadikoy via Moda.
3) Route T1 has also almost half part common with former system. The former routes were fully unreserved, but the new route is mostly on reserved track including Galata Bridge.

So Galata Serai, Karakoy, Sirkeci, Bayazid, Aksaray, Altiyol etc. is now served again by tram!!! Ooooh, I just can’t imagine.

I’m also suggesting, new tramway should also run up to Sisli & Bebek.

You did a great map on this 1 1/2 years ago. Why raise the subject agian now? While the municipality for decades had no probelm to destroy old neighborhoods for wider roads, it is now argued that trams in these places, such as along the Bosphorus would ruin the scenery (even though they were part of the scenery when Ciragan and the other palaces were first built).http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1223/istanbultrammap.png

COMBINATION OF OLD & NEW SYSTEM

Current route T3 (heritage) uses former route 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 entirely or partly.

Current route T5 (heritage) uses former route 20 partly.

Current route T1 (modern) uses former route 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 32, 33 and 34 from Kabatas to Topkapi.

How history repeats!!!

1) Route T3 entirely has same alignment with former track on Istikal Caddesi. Former alignment was double-track and shared with automobiles, but now it is mostly single track with crossovers & the street is only for walking & tram. No automobiles allowed.
2) Route T5 has almost half part common with former system on Bahariye Street. Formerly there was double track from Kadikoy to Moda, and trams ran up & down, but now the heritage tram moves as a single line continuous loop from Kadikoy to Kadikoy via Moda.
3) Route T1 has also almost half part common with former system. The former routes were fully unreserved, but the new route is mostly on reserved track including Galata Bridge.

So Galata Serai, Karakoy, Sirkeci, Bayazid, Aksaray, Altiyol etc. is now served again by tram!!! Ooooh, I just can’t imagine.

I’m also suggesting, new tramway should also run up to Sisli & Bebek.

While the municipality for decades had no problem to destroy old neighborhoods for wider roads, it is now argued that trams in these places, such as along the Bosphorus would ruin the scenery (even though they were part of the scenery when Ciragan and the other palaces were first built).http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1223/istanbultrammap.png
Old and new trams: you did a great map on this 1 1/2 years ago. Why raise the subject agian now?

But you please read the post number 183.

I request you to please answer these questions, which I hadn't asked here before.

1) Left side, right side or both side, - which type of platforms are in most numbers in Istanbul subway network’s M2?
2) Elevated, ground level or underground, - which type of stations are in most numbers in Istanbul subway network’s M2?
3) Which are the highest and deepest stations of Istanbul metro’s M2?
4) Which is the busiest metro station on M2?
5) Which stations have interchange facility with suburban rail network on M2?
6) Where is/are the depot(s) of the subway network on M2?

what do you do with such detailed and boring information? I really want to know...

Actually I want to write a book & a website about such city's tram & metro which is not the capital of that country.

My city Kolkata's tram & metro is almost same as Istanbul.

However, please answer those questions written above, with this new questions -

1) Reserved or unreserved, - which type of track-layout is in most numbers in Istanbul tramway network?
2) Which is the busiest tram terminus?
3) Which tram termini have interchange facility with suburban rail network?
4) Where is/are the depot(s) of the tramway network?