The first passenger test drive of the Fahrettin Altay-Narlıdere Metro, which is the fourth stage of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality's light rail system, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç SoyerMade with the participation of The Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality, who spoke after the first ride, which the people of Izmir are eagerly waiting for, Tunç Soyer“We were determined from the beginning. We will weave Izmir with iron nets. Irish people deserve much better. Good luck to Izmir," he said.
The first test run of the metro of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, which has built all of the metro and tram networks in the city with its own resources and is the only local government in Turkey that can do this, has been extended from Fahrettin Altay Square to the Narlıdere District Governor's Office. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerCHP İzmir Provincial Chairman Şenol Aslanoğlu, CHP and Nation Alliance deputies and candidates, district mayors, provincial heads of the Nation Alliance, district presidents and members of the press participated in the trial run hosted by . The metro line, which is 7,2 kilometers long and consists of 7 stations, is planned to be opened in the coming months.
Soyer: “It was a really difficult process”
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer“It is a very exciting day. I remember that we always came here with boots, the first time we came with our normal shoes. We crossed the line from start to finish. This pandemic period was such a period that 100 people became Covid during a study in which 900 people worked. Ensuring that they continue to work without quitting their job, maintaining their health, and paying their salaries for their efforts... It was a really difficult process. In this process, Gülermak A.Ş. showed an extraordinary solidarity with our Metropolitan Municipality. I also thank them.”
“We will try to bring the opening forward”
Stating that they work non-stop and never take a break, President Soyer said, “For us, it was a matter of determination and resistance from the beginning. We held the belief that this work should not stop and should continue in every crisis, pandemic, earthquake. Therefore, what we collect today is the fruit of this determination and resistance. As a result of the great efforts, beliefs and efforts of all my friends, I have reached this point. I am grateful to each and every one of them. This process started with a prediction of 253 million Euros, at the point we completed we found 285 million Euros. It is the only metro in Turkey that was built with its own resources and financial resources it found. Izmir is the only city without a U. The metro lines in İzmir are the metros built with the right of the wrist with the sweat of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. We are proud. Approximately 14,5 kilometers of tunnels, 7 stations, a 27-kilometer route is actually a route that reaches 47 kilometers when you go by road. In both Balçova and the District Governor's Office, there are 219 car parks that will allow people to leave their cars and get on the subway… We are in the subway, which has been completely thought through and very well completed. We are planning to open it on September 9 or October 29, but if we succeed, we will try to bring it forward. We aim to finish it earlier,” he said.
From now on, we will see the U-symbol metros in Izmir.
Referring to the metros built in other provinces by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Mayor Soyer said, “The metros in İzmir were built with the sweat and wrist of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. After that, we will see the subways bearing the U symbol in Izmir. I am also conscious of it. Let this be the last M of Izmir. From now on, we want U's to come to Izmir. We have many routes. We are determined from the beginning, we will weave İzmir with iron nets. Because rail systems are much more economical, clean, comfortable and cheaper for citizens than rubber-tired vehicles. We will definitely continue to weave İzmir with iron nets,” he said, adding that they are working on more routes such as Gaziemir-Karabağlar and Kemalpaşa, on which they are working, “We will bring a transportation network to İzmir, where the rich prefer public transportation as in developed countries. Irish people deserve it. Irish people deserve much better. Good luck to Izmir," he said.
Expeditions will start soon
Izmir Metro A.S. General Manager Ertan Sayılkan said, “We are now on the last level for the commissioning of this great service. Environmentalist and economical rail systems will undoubtedly provide great convenience in access and transportation. Mehmet Ergenekon, Head of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Rail Systems Department, said, “These are the results of our President supporting us until the end. We started our adventure in 2018 and experienced many setbacks. At this point, 96 percent of the work is done. In 2020, we experienced periods that started with a pandemic, we did not close, we continued to work. 100 of our 900 employees became covid, but we continued to work,” he said.
It cost 285 million euros
On the line, which will be the continuation of the existing line starting from Evka-3 and ending in Fahrettin Altay, respectively; Balçova, Çağdaş, Dokuz Eylül University Hospital, Faculty of Fine Arts, Narlıdere, Martyrdom and District Governorship stations will be located. Tunnel works and rail laying works have been completed. A total of 14,5 kilometers of tunnels were opened. Electromechanical works continue in the line and at the stations. When the line is put into operation, the average number of daily passengers is expected to be 170 thousand. Two separate car parks with a total capacity of 219 vehicles were built at Balçova and District Governorship stations. İzmir Light Rail System Phase 4 F. Altay-Narlıdere District Governorate Construction Work; On June 4, 2018, it was delivered to the contractor company with a contract value of 252 million Euros. This cost has reached 285 million Euros as of today with the increase in exploration. With the completion of the line, a total of 27 kilometers of uninterrupted rail transportation service will be provided between Bornova district in the north of İzmir and Narlıdere district in the south. Izmir residents will have the opportunity of safe, comfortable, environmentally friendly and economical rail transportation; It will also save time. Passengers boarding from one end will reach the other end in 45 minutes. The length of the highway between the two ends is approximately 47 kilometers. This route can be taken in 1,5-2 hours by motor vehicles, especially in times of heavy traffic.