Istanbul: second largest rail network in the world

In a few years from now, Istanbul will have the second longest rail system in the world. Turkey’s largest city currently will add another 420 kilometres to its local rail system, before reaching a total length of 776 kilometres by 2019.

Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan expressed this goal at the opening ceremony for Istanbul's new 18-km subway line, which will serve one million people daily.The expansion of Istanbul’s railway system is necessary to enable public transport to deal with traffic in the enormous city. Since the mid-90s, Istanbul's population doubled from 7.5 million to 15 million today.

Turkey's leading online newspaper ‘hurriyetdailynews’ reports Erdogan saying that new railways will make travel easier even if they could not solve all commuter problems.

Public transport in Istanbul comprises a bus network, various rail systems, funiculars, and maritime services to serve the 15 million inhabitants of the city spread over an area of 5712 square kilometres. The network offers metro, light rail rapid transit (Light Metro), funiculars, trams, suburban trains, bus rapid transit and other forms of public transport.