A new section of the metro line has been opened in Izmir

In Izmir, one of Turkey’s largest cities, a new section of the metro line, approximately 6.5 kilometers long in the western direction, was opened in February 2024, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This is a significant event for the city, which is growing and developing every year.

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The new section of the line, consisting of two stations with parking for 219 vehicles each, will improve transportation accessibility and comfort for local residents.

The Izmir municipality’s plans for the coming days also include the opening of another section approximately 1 kilometer long with one station.

This will increase the total length of the line to 27 kilometers with 24 stations, reducing travel time between endpoints to 45 minutes and decreasing the interval between trains to 15 minutes.

To encourage the use of the new metro section, free rides are provided until mid-April 2024.

This may incentivize many city residents to reconsider their usual routes and take advantage of public transportation amenities.

However, it is worth noting that the cost of constructing the extended metro line exceeded initial estimates.

The construction contract was valued at 252 million euros, but final costs reached 287 million euros due to the project’s budget growth.

Nevertheless, it is forecasted that the daily passenger flow on the new section will reach around 170,000 people, underscoring the significance of infrastructure projects for city development.

Line 1 is the only metro line in Izmir, beginning operation in May 2000.

Currently, construction is also underway for the second metro line, and plans for three additional lines are being developed, reflecting the city’s commitment to modernization and improving transportation infrastructure.

Photo: İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi

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