Super High-Speed Train to Cut Ankara-Istanbul Trip to 80 Min

Türkiye is launching a groundbreaking super high-speed train between Ankara-Istanbul, reducing travel time to just 80 minutes and enhancing national rail efficiency. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed the new line will reach 350 km/h (217 mph), placing Türkiye among the world’s fastest rail networks. He announced the project during a speech in Istanbul.

Major Rail Expansion Includes Ankara-Istanbul Line

The new Ankara-Istanbul route is part of a broader plan to double the national rail network. Türkiye aims to grow from 13,919 kilometers to 28,500 kilometers of total railway lines.

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Uraloglu noted that the Northern Railway Project, set to launch this year, will span the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. It will connect Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul Airport and Catalca.

The ongoing 505-kilometer Ankara-Izmir high-speed project is expected to reach Afyonkarahisar by late next year and Izmir by the following year.

Istanbul to Benefit from Ankara-Istanbul Rail Progress

Istanbul’s urban transit is also expanding, with 162 kilometers of new rail lines already completed and another 26 kilometers underway. Once finalized, Istanbul’s network will reach 380–400 kilometers.

However, Uraloglu emphasized that 1,004 kilometers of metro lines are needed to solve the city’s transport issues. To date, 400 kilometers have been built, with 600 more to go.

Over the last 23 years, divided highways increased from 6,101 km to 29,700 km, while vehicle numbers jumped from 8.5 million to over 32 million.

Broader Infrastructure and Policy Reforms Underway

The minister also highlighted major completed routes like the Istanbul-Izmir Highway and 1915 Canakkale Bridge. Construction of highways from Ankara to Kirikkale and Alanya has now started.

Finally, Uraloglu proposed stricter social media regulations. He said children under 13 should not use platforms, and teens 13–16 should only access them with parental approval.

Meta has already applied some of the suggested changes, and Türkiye plans further legal measures to protect minors online.

Source: www.turkiyetoday.com

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