Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the localization rate in Türkiye's railway projects has increased significantly and that the railway industry, equipped with new technologies, has reached a level that can compete with the world. Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that these developments signal the beginning of a new era in Türkiye's railway adventure.
“Local Move in Türkiye’s Railway Adventure”
Minister Uraloğlu stated in his statement that the localization rate in Türkiye's railway sector has shown a historical increase. He stated that the railway adventure, which started with the İzmir-Aydın line in 1856, has moved to a completely different dimension with local and national production policies since 2003.
“Türkiye is Becoming a Logistics Center Between Asia and Europe”
Minister Uraloğlu, drawing attention to the fact that Türkiye is at the center of the $760 billion trade movement between Asia and Europe, said that Türkiye has become a logistics "hub" with its railways, highways, maritime transportation and aviation infrastructure. It was stated that the aim was to provide fast, safe and economical transportation opportunities on the east-west and north-south axes.
“63 Billion Dollars Spent on Railway Investments”
Uraloğlu shared the information that 23 billion dollars were invested in the transportation sector and 280 billion dollars in railway projects alone in the last 63 years, and noted that 60 percent of these investments were carried out by TCDD.
“A Major Breakthrough in Electrification and Signaling Projects”
Minister Uraloğlu, who drew attention to the fact that the use of electric energy in railway transportation reduces transportation costs, stated that they have built electrification systems on a 915-kilometer line, and that project work is ongoing on a 2-kilometer line. He also stated that signaling work is being carried out on a 926-kilometer line, and that project planning is ongoing for a 1460-kilometer line.
“Record Increase in Localization Rates”
It was emphasized that localization rates in the railway sector have been increased significantly:
- 95 percent in electrification,
- 35 percent in signaling,
- 95 percent in the superstructure,
- In infrastructure, 100 percent has been reached.
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that these achievements are the concrete results of national and domestic production policies.
“Train Sets and Light Rail Systems Are Coming with Domestic Production”
Minister Uraloğlu, who stated that train sets and light rail system vehicles with a speed capacity of 160 kilometers per hour were produced with localization rates of up to 70 percent, stated that Türkiye has now reached a position where it exports railway vehicles and services not only to the domestic market but also to the world market.
“Great Increase in Logistics Transportation”
Minister Uraloğlu, who stated that the volume of logistics transportation in the railway sector has also shown a significant growth, emphasized that the amount of cargo transported has increased from 14 million tons to 35 million tons and that the strategic importance of railways in the Turkish economy has increased. These developments are considered as an indicator of the progress Türkiye has made in the railway sector and its international competitive power.
