Istanbul modern tramways

Modern Trams in Istanbul

Bombardier Flexity Tram runs through Hudavendigar Cd heading towards Kabataş on tramline T1.
Overview
Owner Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Transit type Tram
Number of lines 2 (T1 & T4)[1]
Number of stations T1: 31[2]
T4: 22[3]
Daily ridership T1: 320,000[2]
T4: 95,000[3]
Operation
Began operation T1: 13 June 1992[2]
T4: 12 September 2007[3]
Operator(s) İstanbul Ulaşım A.Ş.
Number of vehicles T1: 92 (55 Flexity Swift, 37 Citadis X-04)[2]
T4: 78[3]
Train length T1: 59 m (194 ft)
Technical
System length 33.8 km (21.0 mi) (total)
T1: 18.5 km (11.5 mi)[2]
T4: 15.3 km (9.5 mi)[3]
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
(standard gauge)
Electrification 750 V DC Overhead lines
Top speed T1: 70 km/h (43 mph)

Istanbul modern tramways is a modern tramway system on the European side of Istanbul, which first opened in 1992 as tramline T1.[2] Tramline T4 opened in 2007.[3] Tramlines T1 and T2 (which opened in 2006[2]) were combined, and renamed as T1, in 2011.[2]

Tramway lines in the railway-network in Istanbul: T1 (blue) and T4 (orange)

History

Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, once had a large tramway network on both the Asian and the European sides. It first started as a horse tram in 1860, and was gradually converted to an electric tram system starting in 1912. Many additional routes were added to the tram system, in progressive stages over time. 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 becoming 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 tramway, called the T1 line, was introduced in Istanbul in 1992, and soon became popular. The T1 tramways has gradually been extended since that time, the last extension being in 2011.

A second modern tramway between Edirnekapı and Mescid-i Selam, called the T4 line, was opened in 2007. The line was extended to Topkapı in 2009.

Timeline

Tram routes

The modern tramline, T1, now runs from Kabataş to Bağcılar. Modern tramline, T4, runs from Topkapı to Mescid-i Selam.

T1 Line characteristics

T4 Line characteristics

Alignments

The modern tram routes mostly run on reserved tracks. Part of the network is elevated, and small parts of the tramway involve street running on unreserved tracks. The system serves mostly the old parts of the city.

T1 route

T1 station list with transfer points.

This T1 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 T1 line 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, T1 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 T1 modern tramway was built following, for the most part, the previous tramway which was closed in 1962. The line from Kabataş to Topkapı was previously served by tram Routes 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 32, 33, 34 (see Trams in Istanbul). The Galata Bridge was also served by trams previously, although this bridge and other parts of the former tram route was totally unreserved track, while the present route is mostly on reserved track right of way. On the reserved portions of the line, rails are often raised like metro/suburban train to run fast, and stops on these parts have platforms, illuminated covering, etc. All stops on the T1 line have ticket counters and magnetic ticket gates (just like the Istanbul Metro). In the busiest sections, tracks are also elevated, and the reserved/elevated track areas have separate light systesm for improved visibility and safely. In the unreserved portions of the T1 line, recent tracks were paved with tiles for a gentler look. In some cases, tracks are laid on both side of the road, while sometimes on either the left or the right side of the road, and still other times in middle of road if running on a narrow street. On the Galata Bridge, tracks are in middle of the bridge on a fully dedicated right of way. At some stops, there is a staircase link from the road via a bridge to the tram stop, to promote safe crossing of the road for those taking the tram.

T4 route

T4 station list with surface and sub-surface sections.

The T4 tramway follows a generally north-south route between Mescid-i Selam and Topkapı. Seven of the T4 line's 22 stations are underground[3] – these are stations Edirnekapı, Topçular, Rami, Uluyol - BEREC, Ali Fuat Başgil, Taşköprü and Karadeniz. All other stations are at-grade stations. The T4 line, even more than the T1 line, corresponds to a "light rail standards" line, in that its at-grade stations are made up of fortified platforms in the central median of the road, which allows for flat run-starts. These stations are accessible via pedestrian bridges, underpasses or signal light-controlled crossings. T4 does not include sections of street running, but operates in its own separate right-of-way. However, the T4 line does include at-grade road and intersection crossings controlled by traffic signals. It is nonetheless categorized as a "tramway" by its operator, İstanbul Ulaşım A.Ş.

Rolling stock

After opening in 1992, and until 2004, the T1 tram line was originally operated using high-floor ABB light rail vehicles (LRVs). Stating in 2004, the original LRVs on the T1 line were replaced by low-floor trams, first from Bombardier, and later from Alstom Citadis. However, the T4 line still operates using high-floor ABB LRVs.

T1: Bombardier Flexity Swift

The Bombardier trams

In the summer 2001, 55 Bombardier Flexity Swift low-floor tram vehicles were ordered for the T1 tramway. They went into service in 2004, after the platforms on the T1 stops had been lowered to allow the use of low-floor trams.

All of these trams are low-floor, and fully air conditioned, and can run at high speeds on reserved tracks. Each tram train operates in a two-cars train set. In peak hours, such two-car trams can be coupled together to make a four-car long tram train set.

T1: Alstom Citadis

Alstom Citadis tram

In 2007, 37 new Alstom Citadis X-04 trams were ordered.[8] The first Alstom Citadis tram entered service on the T1 line in 2011.[6]

T4

The vehicles currently used on the T4 line are the high-floor and bulky ABB LRVs, which are very similar to vehicles on the M1 light metro line of the Istanbul Metro. Current plans are to eventually convert the T4 tramways to low-floor tram vehicles as well.

Depots & termini

Kabataş, Zeytinburnu & Bağcılar are the three termini on the T1 line. Topkapı and Mescid-i Selam are the two termini on the T4 line.

Future Plans

It is planned to replace high-floor light rail vehicles (LRVs) currently used on the T4 line by true low-floor trams vehicles. There are also plans to extend the T4 route further north to Habibler.

Additional plans to expand the modern tram network exist. A new tramway, which is already approved by the municipality, but has not been opened for bidding yet, is an Eminönü-Alibeyköy extension (along the southern coast of the Golden Horn). In future, there are planned branch lines from Zeytinburnu to Bakırköy, from Kabatas to Beşiktaş, and from Eminonu to Bayrampasa. This line may further run from Bagcilar to Spor Satonu in future. There may be a new line from Kadıköy to Bostancı on the Asian side (if built, it would follow the original Istanbul tram Route 4).

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Raylı Sistemler" [Rail Systems]. Istanbul-ulasim.com.tr (in Turkish). İstanbul Ulaşim A.Ş. Retrieved 2014-04-13. Check each line for line stats, then sum to obtain the total System Length, number of stations, etc.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 "T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar Tramvay Hattı" [T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar Tramway Line]. Istanbul-ulasim.com.tr (in Turkish). İstanbul Ulaşim A.Ş. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 "T4 Topkapı Habibler Tramvay Hattı" [T4 Topkapi-Habib Tramway Line]. Istanbul-ulasim.com.tr (in Turkish). İstanbul Ulaşim A.Ş. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  4. ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardac/5911177533/sizes/l/in/photostream/
  5. ↑ http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/rail-vehicles/light-rail-vehicles/flexity-light-rail-vehicles/istanbul--turkey?docID=0901260d8000cbb4
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Railway Gazette: Low-floor trams in service as Istanbul extension testing begins". Railway Gazette. February 10, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-14.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/default.asp?page=yolcuhizmetleri&category=ucrettarifeleri
  8. ↑ "İstanbul, Alstom Citadis tramvaylarını işletmeye alıyor!" [Istanbul, getting trams from Alstom Citadis!]. emlakkulisi.com (in Turkish). February 13, 2011. Retrieved 2014-04-19.

External links