Istanbul to get new mini-metro system

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The new mini metro is expected to be built within two years, Topbaş says.

Istanbul’s metro system will soon feature a new “mini-metro” that will ultimately connect the neighborhoods of Levent and Aşiyan, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Kadir Topbaş has announced.

The project will be built within two years and will connect the Aşiyan neighborhood, which is along the Bosphorus, to the main Istanbul metro line via a 730-meter funicular that will connect to the end of the mini-metro line at Hisarüstü, outside Boğaziçi University. The new metro will be able to transport up to 10,000 passengers per hour, Topbaş told daily Hürriyet.

“Heavy traffic and a lack of mass transportation in the area have made these changes essential,” said Topbaş.

 “It will take only five minutes from Hisarüstü to Levent. Later on, we will increase the passenger capacity if needed,” said Topbaş.

The mini-metro is set to have five stops, according to the mayor. 

Topbaş also said the project had been sent to the Transportation Ministry for approval and added that the municipality would not need to expropriate any land for the project.