İzmir Metro

Platforms are 125 m long, although initially only 3-car-trains (750 V DC) were used. At Halkapinar and Hilal transfer is possible to the suburban railway Izban. Buca metro line: driverless 12.5 km line starting at Üçyol station in a loop, passing through Zafertepe, Bozyaka, General Asim Gündüz, Sirinyer, Buca Belediyesi, Kasaplar Meydani, Hasanaga Bahçesi, Kredi Yurtlar Kurumu, Buca Koop and terminating at Çamlikule. TRAM Tram Karsiyaka-Cigli opened 11 April 2017 (with free service until June 2017); running along the north shore of the Gulf of Izmir (8.8 km); rolling stock: 17 five-section low-floor trams supplied Eurotem (Hyundai Rotem + Tüvasas) extended to Cigli (Izmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi) on 27 Jan 2024, adding a 9.9 km loop. Tram Konak (12.8 km) opened 24 March 2018 (with free service until end of April 2018); running along the south shore of the Gulf of Izmir and through the city centre. Bernhard Kußmagk & Robert Schwandl: TRAM ATLAS TÜRKIYE Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Gebze, Istanbul, Izmir, Izmit, Kayseri, Konya, Mersin & Samsun May 2024 80 pages, 120 colour photos, 17 network maps Text deutsch English ISBN 978-3-936573-77-0 16.50 EUR [More info ] Izmir has a very interesting Metro/Suburban Rail offer. The single line Metro runs across the main urban area, whilst the Izban suburban service runs from the north-west satellite towns, around the harbour, to the airport area in the south. Together the two services offer 73.1km of rail service, of which 15.5km is underground. There are 46 stations, of which 15 are underground. Opened in 2000, the 20.1km Izmir Metro line offers important transport provision through the centre of Izmir. From the south-western suburbs, the line runs north-east toward the city centre. This section is underground with Konak being the main station for the charismatic old town, and Cankaya and Basmane providing access to the stylish business and commercial centre of Izmir. The line rises to the interesting elevated station at Hilal which provides interchange to the Izban, before dropping to grade at the main Izban interchange of Halkapinar. Moving east, there is elevation at Stadyum, where the Metro Sheds are located, followed by grade running, before the line moves underground after Bornova. The journey time is 38mins. Trains operate base headways of 4mins and are six-car sets (3x2), although the carriages are not particularly long and there is limited seating, which is paired rather than side seating. As for the stock, the newer CSR trains have a smart white interior, with RTI television screen route map and audio information in Turkish and English. There is also a small copy of the network schematic in each carriage. The older ABB stock looks quite dated in comparison. Both stock have smart exteriors of white, black with thin red stripe. The ride is not particularly smooth and dwell time can be quite lengthy but acceleration is good and patronage rates are very high, with Izban interchange stations being very busy. Izban is a suburban rail service operating from the north-west of the urban area, around the bay and through the central area before heading south to the airport and beyond. The Izban service was initiated in 2010 following a refurbishment of existing TCCD lines. Although maps and branding information declares that there are two lines operating to/from the central terminus of Alsancak, operationally this is one line, with trains working the Menemen-Cumaovasi service at 10min base headways. This route of 53km covers the more densely populated area of Greater Izmir and has 29 stations. The line has 1.9km of underground line on the northern section around Karsiyaka, and a short 0.5km in the south at Sirinyer. The line has 4 underground stations. Trains heading north enter Alsancak terminus station and drivers operate a step back service with the drivers of the last train waiting at the front of the next service, and so the dwell time is a matter of