The Eastern Express train, which left beautiful traces in the memories as one of the longest routes of the Republic of Turkey State Railways (TCDD) Transportation Inc., but whose train trips were stopped within the scope of the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures, made its first voyage from Kars.
The Eastern Express train, which is the center of attention of foreign tourists and university students as well as travel and sightseeing enthusiasts, and offers its passengers an epic journey every season, started its first voyage with a ceremony held at Kars Station.
Kars Deputy Governor Mehmet Zahid Dogu and Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Hayrettin Cetin chatted with the passengers during their visit to the train.
In his speech on the train, Dogu stated that the long-awaited Eastern Express has set off and said, “Everyone is looking forward to this train. Even though we are normalized, we ask you to follow the rules. We must fulfill the mask, distance and hygiene rules. Although we have been normalized for a long time in the process that came with the power of the vaccine, we see the decrease in the number of cases. Our train was long awaited. Go safely and reach your loved ones.”
Dogu, wearing his dispatcher’s hat, waved goodbye to the first train with his motion disc.
The train, which will depart from Kars and follow the route of Erzurum, Erzincan, Sivas and Kayseri, will reach its last stop in Ankara after traveling 1310 kilometers.
While it pauses for a few minutes at the intermediate stops, it can take up to 10-15 minutes at the main stops. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoglu said in a statement on July 6 that the main line trains, which have been suspended as of March 28, 2020, will start service after July 12 in the first place.
The Eastern Express, which resumed its trips, which had been suspended for approximately 1.5 years, arrived in Erzincan today. Passengers are very satisfied with the epic journey, which is also the center of attention of foreign tourists. Domestic and foreign tourists waiting for this day with longing are lining up for the journey that will take approximately 25 hours.
Train tickets will be ₺55 for pulman, ₺75 for bunks and 50% discount for children. Students under the age of 21 will be able to buy tickets for 50T, and citizens over 60 will be able to buy tickets for ₺50.
A Canadian traveler traveling on the train noted that the Eastern Express was amazing and recommended it to everyone.
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz