Istanbul Expansion Schemes Lead a Growing Urban Rail Market

Turkey’s first light metro line opened in 1989 in Istanbul. Since then, the city’s transit system has grown to include three commercial urban rail networks and two tourist-oriented tram routes. New projects underway include a high-capacity commuter link located beneath the Bosporus and scheduled to open in 2010. The project includes an immersed tube under the strait, which separates Europe and Asia. Another six rail projects are under construction in Istanbul, while multiple metro extensions are underway or in the planning stage. Metro plans in Ankara, Izmir and several other cities are also described. The article includes a chart of Turkish urban rail systems.