More cities to access fast trains, official says

AFYONKARAHISAR - Anatolia News Agency

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Turkish High Speed Trains (YHT) will reach 15 new destinations by 2016, according to Süleyman Karaman, the General Manager of Turkish State Railways (TCDD), during his visit to the western province of Afyonkarahisar on Dec. 25.

Karaman stated that they aim to expand railway lines all over the country.

The TCDD is to construct 10,000 kilometers of railway lines for high speed trains and 4,000 kilometers of conventional railway lines by 2023, the 100th anniversary of the modern republic.

Furthermore, they will restore used railways, build new terminals and renovate historic ones. Another goal is to raise the share of railway transit among transportation in general, with a target to surpass 1.5 billion passengers in inter-city rail transport and carry 200 million tons of cargo per year. Another important target is to manufacture YHT and other railway vehicles in Turkey.

According to a survey, most YHT passengers think that Turkey is a developed country, said Karaman, adding that YHT has also influenced social life in positive way.

Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım also said recently the new YHT projects between Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir and Bursa are planned to carry approximately 30 million passengers per year, which will contribute more than $800 million to the economy.

The YHT project between Ankara and İzmir chose Afyonkarahisar as one destination. The trip time between Ankara and Afyonkarahisar will be one hour and 15 minutes.