📩 23/09/2023 12:05
On the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, railways are celebrating their 167th anniversary. Railway transportation in Turkey started with the opening of the Izmir-Aydın line in 1856. Since then, railways have become an important part of Turkey's transportation network.
The railway network in Turkey is 10 thousand 867 kilometers long. 7 thousand 400 kilometers of this network are main lines and 3 thousand 467 kilometers are railway connections. Most of the railway transportation in Turkey is provided by the State Railways (TCDD). In addition to TCDD, some private companies also provide railway transportation services.
Railway transportation plays an important role in Turkey, especially in freight transportation. Approximately 20% of the country's total freight transportation is carried out by rail. Rail plays a less important role in passenger transport. Approximately 5% of the country's total passenger transportation is carried out by rail.
Various studies are being carried out to improve railway transportation in Turkey. Within the scope of these works, it is aimed to expand the railway network and build new railway lines. In addition, efforts are being made to increase the efficiency of railway transportation.
Railway transportation in Turkey plays an important role for the economic and social development of the country. Railway transportation offers an important alternative in freight and passenger transportation. In addition, railway transportation stands out as an environmentally friendly form of transportation.
Development of the railway network in Turkey
The railway network in Turkey started with the opening of the Izmir-Aydın line in 1856. Since then, the railway network has been continuously expanded.
In 1923, with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, efforts to develop the railway network accelerated. During this period, important lines such as Ankara-Istanbul, Ankara-Izmir and Ankara-Eskişehir lines were built.
In the 1950s, work on expanding the railway network continued. During this period, new lines such as Ankara-Kayseri, Ankara-Konya and Ankara-Yozgat lines were built.
In the 1970s, efforts to improve the railway network intensified. During this period, electrification and modernization works of some lines were carried out.
In the 1980s, the privatization of the railway network came to the fore. During this period, efforts were made to transfer some lines to private companies.
In the 1990s, efforts to improve the railway network continued. During this period, efforts were made to convert some lines into double tracks and to build new lines.
In the 2000s, various projects were implemented to develop the railway network. Within the scope of these projects, it is aimed to expand the railway network and build new railway lines.
What needs to be done to improve railway transportation in Turkey
What needs to be done to improve railway transportation in Turkey are as follows:
- Expansion of the railway network
- Building new railway lines
- Increasing the efficiency of railway transportation
- Making railway transportation environmentally friendly
Expanding the railway network is necessary to connect all regions of the country and make rail transport more accessible. The construction of new railway lines will increase the capacity of the railway network and make rail transport more competitive in freight and passenger transport. Increasing the efficiency of rail transportation will make rail transportation more economical and competitive. Making railway transportation environmentally friendly will make railway transportation more sustainable.
Studies carried out to improve railway transportation in Turkey will make significant contributions to the economic and social development of the country.