With the start of the express high-speed train (YHT) services between Ankara and Istanbul, flights will be faster. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoglu stated that as of July 10, express high-speed train (YHT) services will start on the Ankara-Istanbul line, “This train will only stop in Eskisehir and Istanbul-Pendik. With the express YHT, approximately 25 minutes will be gained.”
Adil Karaismailoglu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, stated that approximately 25 minutes will be gained with the Express YHT between Istanbul and Ankara, and said, “The first YHT to act on the Ankara-Istanbul line at 06:00 will be the ‘express’. This train will only stop in Eskisehir and Istanbul-Pendik.”
WITH NORMALIZATION, REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE RAILWAYS
Minister Karaismailoglu told Anadolu Agency (AA) that at the cabinet meeting held on June 21 under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it was decided to switch to the gradual normalization process as of July 1, and that some arrangements were made in rail passenger transportation within this framework.
PASSENGER RESTRICTION ENDED
Reminding that the YHTs, which have carried 57 million passengers to date, have served with a 50% capacity during the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic, Karaismailoglu stated that the passenger restriction in public transportation vehicles has ended in line with the gradual normalization decisions.
YHT FLIGHTS WILL INCREASE FROM 26 TO 36
Karaismailoglu informed that the flights on YHTs, which have been operating at full capacity as of July 1, will be increased from 26 to 36 as of July 10, before the Eid al-Adha holiday, and said:
“The number of daily trips on the Ankara-Istanbul-Ankara line has increased from 10 to 14, it was increased from 4 to 6 on the Konya-Istanbul-Konya line, from 8 to 10 on the Ankara-Konya-Ankara line, and from 4 to 6 on the Ankara-Eskisehir-Ankara line. YHT services on all tracks are on sale until July 31, so that passengers can make their travel plans in advance and buy their round-trip tickets at the same time during the Eid al-Adha holiday.”
ISTANBUL-ANKARA WILL COME IN 25 MINUTES SHORTER
Expressing that Express YHT services will also start on the Ankara-Istanbul line, Karaismailoglu said, “The first YHT ‘express’ that will depart on the Ankara-Istanbul line on July 10 at 06:00. This train will only stop in Eskisehir and Istanbul-Pendik. With the Express YHT, approximately 25 minutes will be gained.”
ANKARA-BURSA LINE REDUCED TO 4 HOURS
Pointing out that travel times have decreased significantly with YHT-connected combined transportation, Karaismailoglu said that with the “YHT plus bus” connection, the journey takes 4 hours on the Ankara-Bursa line, 4 hours 15 minutes on the Konya-Bursa line, 3 hours 35 minutes on the Ankara-Karaman line and 6 hours on the Istanbul-Karaman line. reported that the hour had decreased to 55 minutes.
“16 THOUSAND 92 ADDITIONAL CAPACITY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY INCREASING YHT VOYAGES”
Pointing out that they expect the passenger density to increase significantly due to the long holiday, Karaismailoglu made the following assessment:
“Since March 2020, due to travel and other restrictions, our citizens have spent Ramadan and Eid al-Adha at their homes. On this holiday, inter-city travels will intensify significantly, as the restrictions are lifted gradually, schools are closed and it coincides with the summer holiday. With the increase of YHT flights, 4 thousand 542 daily and 16 thousand 92 additional capacities in total were provided.
Expressing that TCDD Transportation General Directorate provides healthy and safe travel opportunities by taking all kinds of precautions during the epidemic period within the framework of the rules determined by the Ministry of Health, Karaismailoglu stated that TCDD Transportation Inc. will continue to provide the best service by taking all kinds of measures during the gradual normalization period.
Pointing out that they expect sensitivity from citizens to comply with social distance, mask and hand hygiene rules, Karaismailoglu said, “Everyone should fulfill their responsibility in order to live the holiday like a holiday and not be sad later.”
Karaismailoglu said that the mainline trains, which have been suspended as of March 28, 2020, will start service after July 12 in the first place. In this context, Eastern Express, Southern Express, Van Lake Express, 4 Eylul Mavi, Pamukkale Express, Ankara Express, Euphrates Express, Erciyes Express, Aegean Express, Konya Blue, Izmir Mavi, Lakes Express will start to operate.
Karaismailoglu emphasized that the sale of subscription packages continues on YHTs and other trains for frequent travelers, and noted that the regional trains, which were previously operated between middle and nearby cities, make 162 trips per day on 32 separate routes.
Minister Karaismailoglu added that in urban public transportation, normal services continue in Marmaray and Baskentray.
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz