Istanbul has seen heavy investment into public transport over the last five years. The Istanbul Municipality is under pressure to relieve Istanbul's infamous traffic by making heavy investment into metro lines.
Multiple metro lines have been under construction over the last five years and these are culminating in multiple openings in 2019. 2019 will see a total of three metro lines, a tramway, and the Marmaray train extension.
Marmaray train extension opened in March 2019
With the ultra modern and hugely expensive sub Bosphorous train line opening several years ago, the old suburban train line closed in 2013, with the aim of modernising and linking it to the under sea tunnel.
The line links Gebze in the east of Istanbul, to Halkali in the west of Istanbul. A total of over 63km of old lines and 37 stations have been rejuvenated along the near century old train network. This line also hosts the High speed train network to the rest of Turkey. This line forms a major east - west backbone of Istanbul's public transport
Click here to view projects on the Marmaray train network
M7 Besiktas - Sisli - Mahmutbey metro line will open in 2020
The major Besiktas - Mahmutbey line will form a further West - East backbone for Istanbul's metro network. Construction started in 2013, on the 18 stations and 18 km of tunneling. Major historical finds at Besiktas have delayed construction by two years, giving archeologists a feast of Bronze age finds. The line passes through the dense Sisli - Mecidiyekoy - Besiktas triangle and is expected to relieve the over burdened Metrobus network.
Click here to view projects on the M7 metro network
T5 Halic tramway passengers will enjoy views of historic Istanbul
The Halic river, known as the Golden horn, is teeming with history. The T5 tramway will start in the northern part of Alibeykoy, passing through the historic Balat and Fener regions, before terminating at the old city in Eminonu (Spice Bazaar). This tramway will not only relieve the region of dozens of buses, but passengers will get an incredible view as the tramways pass through the oldest and most historic parts of Istanbul.
M8 Dudullu - Bostanci metro built in record time
The M8 line will be the Anatolian sides 3rd major metro line after the M4 and M5 lines. It is the first on the Anatolian side to head from North to South, linking the three major east - west to each other. Starting at the Bostanci Marmaray station, it links up with the M4 Kadikoy metro line at the Kozyatagi station, before connecting to the M5 Uskudur metro line at the Dudullu station. Built in record time, the line is expected to open in Q4 2020, but may be delayed to Q1 2021.
