Turkey is making major strides in rail systems in order to strengthen its transportation infrastructure and develop projects based on national technologies. In this context, the “National Electric High Speed Train Project” implemented by Turkey Rail System Vehicles Inc. (TÜRASAŞ) constitutes an important turning point. The project will reinforce Türkiye’s independence in the rail transportation sector and provide a major step towards becoming competitive at the international level. Bursa-based rail systems company Canray Ulaşım stands out as one of the important stakeholders of this success with the critical roles it has undertaken in the project.
Fundamentals of the National Electric High Speed Train Project
The collaboration between TÜRASAŞ, TÜBİTAK, ASELSAN and Bursa’s Canray Transportation company is creating an important partnership to produce Türkiye’s first national electric high-speed train. The project will shape the future of Türkiye’s transportation infrastructure with a 65 percent local content rate and new-generation trains that can reach speeds of 225 kilometers per hour. The first step of the project was taken with the body welding ceremony held at the TÜRASAŞ Sakarya Regional Directorate on February 8, 2025. This date symbolizes a historic moment for Turkish industry because, for the first time, Türkiye has entered a domestic production process that will significantly reduce its external dependency in high-speed train production.
Canray Transportation: Bursa Signature on the Project
Canray Ulasim plays a vital role in TÜRASAŞ’s “National Electric High-Speed Train Project”. The company’s General Manager Yasemin Yeşilova explained Canray Ulasim’s role in this project and the tasks it undertakes with the following words: “We produce every component you see when you get on the train. This includes ceiling modules, side walls, frames, shelf systems, lighting groups, and even seat-back entertainment systems.” The production and design processes carried out in the company in Bursa are of great importance in increasing the comfort, safety and visual quality of the national high-speed train. Canray Ulasim produces and designs many critical components, from the train’s interior arrangements to seats and entertainment systems.
High Speed and High Quality: Project Goals
The National Electric High Speed Train Project is of great importance not only in terms of domestic production but also with its high speed targets and quality. The train can reach speeds of up to 225 kilometers per hour and promises to significantly shorten travel times between different cities in Türkiye at this speed. The aim is to create a globally competitive transportation vehicle by complying with both domestic and international standards in the design of the trains.
Canray Transportation makes a significant contribution to these goals with the success it has shown in the design and production stages of the components in the project. For example, the design of the ceiling modules plays an important role in both aerodynamic efficiency and interior aesthetics. The lighting systems are designed to make the journey experience more comfortable. In addition, the seatback entertainment systems make long journeys more enjoyable.
Exports from Bursa to the World and Future Plans
Canray Ulaşım’s success in this project will not be limited to Turkey. The company’s exports to North and South America, primarily to European countries, are important steps towards increasing Türkiye’s global competitive power in rail systems. While the company provides products to European countries such as France, Germany and Poland, it also exports to North and South America. Yeşilova said, “We are in cooperation with major metro and train manufacturers in the world and we want to strengthen these cooperations even more,” emphasizing that the company will continue to grow in the global arena.
Among its future goals, Canray Transportation plans to open a production facility abroad. This strategic move will be made in order to be closer to customers abroad and to ensure that domestic production continues to increase. Yeşilova clarified this strategic goal with the words, “We will always be present in Türkiye as a partner of our national trains and we plan to produce the products we export in production facilities abroad.”
National Electric High Speed Train, A Turning Point for Türkiye's Future
Türkiye’s national electric high-speed train projects will accelerate the transformation of transportation infrastructure and lead the modernization of rail systems. This technology rising from Bursa will also have a strong presence in world markets with domestic production. Canray Ulaşım’s critical contributions to the project will be one of the most important parts of this great success. Turkey is taking firm steps towards independence in many areas from transportation to defense with domestic production, and Canray Ulaşım will play major roles in future projects as one of the most valuable stakeholders of this process.
