After the Cabinet Meeting held on 21 June under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, some arrangements were made in rail passenger transportation within the framework of the decision to move to the gradual normalization process as of July 1.
According to the statement made by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Adil Karaismailoğlu; He stated that the YHTs, which have transported 57 million passengers to date, serve with a capacity of 19 percent due to the Kovid-50 epidemic and that the passenger restriction in public transportation vehicles has ended in line with the gradual normalization decisions.
Karaismailoğlu stated that the YHT flights, which have been operating at full capacity as of July 1, have been increased from 10 to 26 as of July 36, before the Eid holiday.
“The number of daily voyages increased from 10 to 14 between Ankara-Istanbul-Ankara, from 4 to 6 between Konya-Istanbul-Konya, from 8 to 10 between Ankara-Konya-Ankara, and from 4 to 6 between Ankara-Eskişehir-Ankara. It has been increased from . It has been put on sale until July 31 for YHT services on all tracks, so that passengers can make their travel plans in advance during the Eid al-Adha holiday and buy their round-trip tickets at the same time.”
Expressing that Express YHT services will also start on the Ankara-Istanbul line, Karaismailoğlu said, “The first YHT services that will depart on the Ankara-Istanbul line on July 10 at 06.00 will be express. This train will only stop in Eskişehir and Istanbul Pendik. With Express YHT, approximately 25 minutes will be gained.” he said.
Pointing out that travel times have decreased significantly with YHT-connected combined transportation, Karaismailoğlu said that Ankara-Bursa travel time is 4 hours, Konya-Bursa 4 hours 15 minutes, Ankara-Karaman 3 hours 35 minutes and Istanbul-Karaman with YHT + bus connection. He recorded that it was reduced to 6 hours 55 minutes.
With the increase of YHT flights, 16 thousand 92 additional capacity was provided
Emphasizing that they expect the passenger density to increase significantly due to the long holiday, Karaismailoğlu said:
“Since March 2020, due to travel and other restrictions, our citizens have spent Ramadan and Eid al-Adha at home. On this holiday, intercity travels will intensify significantly, as the restrictions are gradually lifted, the schools are on holiday and it coincides with the summer vacation. With the increase in YHT flights, 4 thousand 542 daily and 16 thousand 92 additional capacities in total were provided.”
Explaining that TCDD Transportation General Directorate provides healthy and safe travel opportunities by taking all kinds of precautions during the epidemic period within the framework of the rules determined by the Ministry of Health, Karaismailoğlu stated that TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ will continue to provide the best service by taking all kinds of measures during the gradual normalization period.
Underlining that they expect sensitivity from citizens to comply with social distance, mask and hand hygiene rules, Karaismailoğlu said, "Everyone should fulfill their responsibility in order to live the holiday like a holiday and not be sad later on." said.
Karaismailoğlu stated that the mainline trains, which have been suspended as of March 28, 2020, will start to serve 12 conventional trains after July 12 in the first place. He said that Erciyes Express, Aegean Express, Konya Blue, İzmir Blue, Lakes Express will be launched.
Stating that subscription packages continue to be sold on YHTs and other trains for frequent travelers, Karaismailoğlu noted that the regional trains, which were previously operated between middle and nearby cities, make 32 trips per day on 162 separate routes.
Karaismailoğlu added that in urban public transportation, normal services continue to be provided in Marmaray and Başkentray.
Make izmir flights with yht connection. Take the Eskisehir expedition from Bandırma via Afyon and Balıkesir.