Pre-election metro promise in Kocaeli, Turkey

Speaking at the inauguration of a TKL 525M, 3.1km, tramway extension in Izmit on 20 March, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdeulkafdir Uraloglu, said his Ministry would be funding the 15.4km Körfezray metro line planned to link Gebze and Darica with 11 stations. Eventually the line will run for 26.8km from Körfez and Kartepe. 

 

Turkish elections were held on 31 March and Izmit has voted for the 'People's Party'. It has yet to be seen if this proposal will be ratified. 

 

Izmit is the capital of Kocaeli municipality and province (368 000 population). Its first tram line was opened in June 2017, and the latest extension, to the hospital, takes the system to 13.2km. 12 Durmazlar Panorama 33m low-floor trams have been boosted by 10 more at a cost of TKL 697M. Another 5.8km extension is planned to link Otogar bus station and Alikahya stadium. Completion is programmed for July 2025.