Istanbul modern tram

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tram of Istanbul
Background
Owner Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Transit type Tram
Number of lines 1
Number of stations 31
Daily ridership 320,000[1]
Operation
Began operation 1 January 1992 (1992-01-01)
Operator(s) İstanbul Ulaşım A.Ş.
Number of vehicles 55 Flexity Swift
37[2] Citadis X-04
Train length 59 m (194 ft)
Technical
System length 18 km (11 mi)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification 750 V DC Overhead lines
Top speed 70 km/h (43 mph)
Istanbul Tram T1
Legend
Kabataş
 Fındıklı
 Tophane
Karaköy
 Golden Horn
Eminönü
Sirkeci
 Gülhane
 Sultanahmet
 Çemberlitaş
 Beyazıt
 Laleli-Üniversite
 Aksaray
Yusufpaşa
 Haseki
 Fındıkzade
 Çapa-Şehremini
 Pazartekke
Topkapı
Cevizlibağ - AÖY
 Merkezefendi
 Akşemsettin
 Mithatpaşa
Zeytinburnu
 Mehmet Akif
 Merter Tekstil Merkezi
 Güngören
 Akıncılar
 Soğanlı
 Yavuz Selim
 Güneştepe
Bağcılar

The modern tram of Istanbul is a modern tramway system on the European side of Istanbul, opened in 1992. Currently, T1 and T2 combined and named as T1.[3]

History

Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, once had a large tramway network on both the Asian & European shores. It first started as a horse tram, and gradually changed to an electric tram system. Many additional routes were built in progressive stages. The network reached its most widespread extent in 1956 with 108 million passengers being carried by 270 tram-cars, on 56 lines. However reflecting developments in many cities around the world during the 1960s, the tram service began to be closed down in 1956, and was completely stopped in 1966.

After closing the old tram network in the mid 1960s, the people of Istanbul thought the unfashionable obstacle to smooth city travelling had been removed, and that city traffic would move faster than before, but it proved false some years later. An uncontrolled increase in the use of fossil fuel vehicles like buses, taxi, and private cars started choking the streets of Istanbul. Turkey suffered many of the problems of developing countries, including pollution, traffic jam, illegal migration, low literacy and high levels of population increase etc. As the Population density grew, Istanbul became increasingly urbanized, leading to growing numbers of motor vehicles. This in turn led to increased air and sound pollution, traffic congestion and smog. The city became slower than had been the case prior to the closure of the former tramway system. These problems became apparent in the early 70's; during the mid 80's Istanbulians realized that uncontrolled motor vehicles access and the termination of the tram system had been a mistake. The increase in traffic, congestion and resulting air pollution led to Istanbul becaming one of the most polluted Eurasian cities during the mid 80's. After realising this error, Istanbul planned for the return of trams.

Understanding the great mistake of former tram closure, the government started to decrease pollution as soon as possible, and also recover the good image of Istanbul for tourists. Istanbul's transport authority decided to open a separate, modern, high speed tram.

The modern tram system started running in Istanbul in 1992, and soon became popular. It has gradually been extended.

Timeline

  • 1961 - The last tram ran on the European side on 12 January. Topkapı-Eminönü line was replaced by trolleybuses in 27 May. Six trams were transferred to the Asian side network.
  • 1966 - The last tram ran on the Asian side on 3 October from Kadıköy to Üsküdar.[4] Remaining trams were transferred to the transport museum.
  • 1984 - Trolleybus service ended on 16 July. Thus all electric city transport in Istanbul was completely eliminated, apart from the Tünel (funicular).
  • 1990 - İstiklâl Avenue was closed to traffic. Tram returned as heritage system between Taksim and Tünel. Rolling stock was same as pre-1966 tram, so this service was referred to as nostalgic tram.
  • 1992 - By opening a completely separate tram system, tram returned as modern system. It started on the same alignment where trams last ran in 1956. The first service was started between Beyazıt & Yusufpaşa as T1. It was served by high-floor light rail vehicles.
  • 2003 - Tram returned as heritage system in Kadıköy in Asian side, following closed route for 2.6 km as a circular tramway.[5] Rolling stock was imported from Gotha[citation needed]
  • 2004 - T1 line's rolling stock was replaced by low-floor Bombardier Flexity Swift trams.[6]
  • 2006 - Tram line extends farther west, but as a separate line; T2. Although both lines' gauges are the same, T2 used high-floor rolling stock.
  • 2007 - Another separate line opened, named T4, which is LRT.
  • 2009 - Plans to replace all high-floor ABB, Duewag & Rotem trams with Alstom Citadis low floor trams while connecting T1 and T2.
  • 2011 - The first Alstom Citadis low-floor trams enter service[7] and combining of T1 and T2 is completed.[3]

Tram routes

The modern tram runs from Kabataş to Bağcılar.

Practical Info[1]

  • Total length - 18,5 KM
  • Number of stations: 31
  • Opened - 13 June 1992
  • Operating hours - 6.00 A.M. to Midnight
  • Frequency - 2 to 15 minutes
  • Daily passengers: 320.000
  • Fare - TL 1.75, for students: 1 TL[8]

Rolling stock

After opening in 1992, the T1 was served by ABB trams with high floors.

Bombardier Flexity Swift

The Bombardier trams

In summer 2001 55 Bombardier Flexity Swift low floor light rail vehicles were ordered for line T1. They went into service in 2004 on the T1 line, after lowering the platforms of the stations.

At first the modern tram line was served by high floor light rails. Then in 2004, it was replaced by low floor Bombardier trams.

Between 1992 & 2004, it was used by light rails. In 2004, it gets genuine trams. Rolling stock were made by Bombardier. All trams are low floor, fully air conditioned, can run high speed in reserve track. Each tram has two cars. In peak hours, such two trams are coupled to make a four coach long tram.

Alstom Citadis

Alstom Citadis tram

In 2007 37 new Alstom Citadis X-04 trams were ordered. First Citadis entered service in 2011.[7]

Depots & termini

Kabataş, Zeytinburnu & Bağcılar are the three termini.

Alignment

The modern tram routes mostly run on reserved tracks. Part of the network is elevated, and a small part is unreserved. The system serves mostly the old part of the city.

This route goes from the district of Bağcılar which is a bit west north part of the city to Zeytinburnu, then parallel the shore of Sea of Marmara north east through the Byzantine city walls at Topkapı (the Cannon Gate, not the palace), then eastward via Yusufpaşa/Aksaray, then past the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) and along Divan Yolu to Sultanahmet—the Hippodrome—the historic centre of Old İstanbul.

From Sultanahmet the tram continues to Sirkeci Terminus and Eminönü (quays), across the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn to Karaköy Square (Galata, starting-point for the Tünel up to Beyoğlu's İstiklâl Caddesi), very near the Yolcu Salonu passenger ship dock.

From Karaköy the tram continues to Tophane, near the İstanbul Modern Art Museum, then to Kabataş, with its "Sea Bus" catamaran ferry dock and modern funicular to Taksim Square.

The modern tramway was built following most part of the previous tramway, which was closed in 1962. The line from Kabataş to Topkapı was previously served by route 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 32, 33, 34 (see Trams in Istanbul). The Galata Bridge was also served by tram previously, although this bridge and other part of the former route was totally unreserved track, the present route is mostly on reserved track. On reserved part, rails are often raised like metro/suburban train to run fast, stops of those part has platforms, illuminate sheds, etc. All stops of the line has ticket counter & magnetic ticket gate (just like metro). In most busy section, tracks are also elevated. the reserved/elevated track are has separate light system for looking more clearly & safely. In unreserved part, recently tracks were paved by tiles to look gentler. Some time tracks are laid on both side of the road, sometimes on either left or right side, some times on middle of a narrow street. On Galata Bridge, tracks are on middle and fully dedicated. In some stops, there are a staircase link from road over bridge to tram stop, to safely cross the road and take the tram.

Plans

There is a plan to replace light rails by true trams in T4. Then the route will be more extended.

There are also some other plans. The line which is already approved by the municipality, but not opened for bidding yet is an Eminönü-Alibeyköy extension (along the southern coast of the Golden Horn). In future, there will be a branch line from Zeytinburnu to Bakırköy, from Kabatas to Beşiktaş& from Eminonu to Bayrampasa[citation needed]. This line may further run from Bagcilar to Spor Satonu in future. There may be a new line from Kadıköy to Bostancı (if it would build, it will follow the old route 4).

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/rayl%C4%B1-sistemler/t1-kabata%C5%9F-%E2%80%93-ba%C4%9Fc%C4%B1lar.aspx
  2. ↑ http://www.emlakkulisi.com/istanbul-alstom-citadis-tramvaylarini-isletmeye-aliyor/63300
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/default.asp?page=raylisistemler&category=t1
  4. ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardac/5911177533/sizes/l/in/photostream/
  5. ↑ http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/rayl%C4%B1-sistemler/t3-kad%C4%B1k%C3%B6y-moda.aspx
  6. ↑ http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/rail-vehicles/light-rail-vehicles/flexity-light-rail-vehicles/istanbul--turkey?docID=0901260d8000cbb4
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Railway Gazette: Low-floor trams in service as Istanbul extension testing begins". Retrieved 2011-02-14. 
  8. ↑ http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/default.asp?page=yolcuhizmetleri&category=ucrettarifeleri

External links

Bus
  • İETT
Subway
Trams
Light rail
  • T4 (Habibler-Topkapı)
Commuter rail
Funicular
Metrobus
Ferry
Aerial lift
Payment
Lines in italic are under construction with planned opening year in parentheses.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.