Izmir Metro
Encyclopedia
İzmir Metro is a subway
network (rapid transit
over the surface in parts) in İzmir
, Turkey
that is constantly being extended with new stations being put in service. The network, consisting of one line, starts from Üçyol station in Hatay
in the southern portion of the metropolitan area and runs towards northeast to end in Bornova
. The line is 11.6 km (7.2 mi) long.
The stations are: 1) Üçyol, 2) Konak, 3) Çankaya, 4) Basmane, 5) Hilal, 6) Halkapınar
, 7) Stadyum, 8) Sanayi, 9) Bölge, 10) Bornova
. An extension of the line between Üçyol and Üçkuyular, which aims to serve the southern portion of the city more efficiently, is currently under construction.
By 1990, it was thought that the existing public transport system in Izmir could no longer support the growing population. A plan was thought of to build a rapid transit network by rail to cope with this. A contract was signed in 1993, and the handover was in 1994. Construction had begun in 1995 and it was completed successfully in around 4 years. In May 2000, the system came into public service. Up to that moment, the total cost of the system had been $US600 million. Yapi Merkezi was the main contractor for all design and civil works (tunnels, bridges, viaducts, stations, tracks, infrastructure, depots and workshops) as well as the third-rail power system.
AdTranz was responsible for the rolling stock and the signalling, power-supply and communication systems. (ABB Traction was subsequently purchased by Daimler and became AdTranz only to be purchased later by Bombardier.)
The Izmir Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) is tailor-made for the LRTS. It is 3760-mm high (from head of rail), 2650-mm wide, and 23,500-mm long (over couplers) with a maximum speed of 80 km/h. The maximum acceleration is 1.0 m/s with a seating capacity
of 44 and a standing capacity of 140.
All LRVs are self-powered and the drive and braking systems (with wheel-slip protection) are controlled by on-board computer. A train consists of two to five vehicles with driver's cabin at each end. The LRV is a six-axle articulated unit with three bogies. The first and last bogieıışs are powered while the articulated bogie is trailing.
The auxiliary power system is based on a static converter-inverter, supplied from a 750-Vdc third rail and supplying 3-phase x 400 Vac at 50 Hz for compressor, fans, lights, battery charging, etc. The 24-Vdc battery system supplies the on-board computer as well as other safety systems such as automatic train control (ATC), train radio, passenger displays, emergency lights, etc. The tunnel safety aspects have top priority.
A more ambitious rapid transit system, named İZBAN
connects the north of the city, Aliağa
to the south terminus of Cumaovası, via Adnan Menderes Airport
and several other important financial and commercial areas such as Karşıyaka
and Alsancak
. The İzban and Metro will provide interchange with each other at Halkapınar
station
Basic fare on the Metro is 1.70 TL if the Kentkart is used. By the end of 2011, the Metro, or any other transport system in the city will no longer accept cash, or the jeton, (token) which is brought by cash and used to pass the ticket barriers at the stations. The Metro carries about 30 million passengers/year and to the end of September 2005 160 million passengers had travelled since the opening in May 2000.
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
network (rapid transit
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
over the surface in parts) in İzmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
that is constantly being extended with new stations being put in service. The network, consisting of one line, starts from Üçyol station in Hatay
Hatay, Izmir
Hatay is a large quarter of the city of İzmir, Turkey. Administratively, Hatay forms part of the metropolitan district of Konak, İzmir's historic center along the southern shores of the tip of the Gulf of İzmir, and the largest and the most central of the nine districts that constitute the...
in the southern portion of the metropolitan area and runs towards northeast to end in Bornova
Bornova
Bornova is a metropolitan district of İzmir in İzmir Province in Turkey. It is the third largest district in İzmir's Greater Metropolitan Area of and is almost fully urbanized at the rate of 98,6 per cent, with corresponding high levels of development in terms of industry and services...
. The line is 11.6 km (7.2 mi) long.
The stations are: 1) Üçyol, 2) Konak, 3) Çankaya, 4) Basmane, 5) Hilal, 6) Halkapınar
Halkapınar (Izmir Metro)
The Halkapınar Metro Station is a metro station on the Izmir Metro. The station was built in 1999 and opened in 2000. The station is a part of the Halkapınar Transportation Center where connections are available to the Turkish State Railways and ESHOT, İZULAŞ bus services...
, 7) Stadyum, 8) Sanayi, 9) Bölge, 10) Bornova
Bornova
Bornova is a metropolitan district of İzmir in İzmir Province in Turkey. It is the third largest district in İzmir's Greater Metropolitan Area of and is almost fully urbanized at the rate of 98,6 per cent, with corresponding high levels of development in terms of industry and services...
. An extension of the line between Üçyol and Üçkuyular, which aims to serve the southern portion of the city more efficiently, is currently under construction.
By 1990, it was thought that the existing public transport system in Izmir could no longer support the growing population. A plan was thought of to build a rapid transit network by rail to cope with this. A contract was signed in 1993, and the handover was in 1994. Construction had begun in 1995 and it was completed successfully in around 4 years. In May 2000, the system came into public service. Up to that moment, the total cost of the system had been $US600 million. Yapi Merkezi was the main contractor for all design and civil works (tunnels, bridges, viaducts, stations, tracks, infrastructure, depots and workshops) as well as the third-rail power system.
AdTranz was responsible for the rolling stock and the signalling, power-supply and communication systems. (ABB Traction was subsequently purchased by Daimler and became AdTranz only to be purchased later by Bombardier.)
The Izmir Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) is tailor-made for the LRTS. It is 3760-mm high (from head of rail), 2650-mm wide, and 23,500-mm long (over couplers) with a maximum speed of 80 km/h. The maximum acceleration is 1.0 m/s with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 44 and a standing capacity of 140.
All LRVs are self-powered and the drive and braking systems (with wheel-slip protection) are controlled by on-board computer. A train consists of two to five vehicles with driver's cabin at each end. The LRV is a six-axle articulated unit with three bogies. The first and last bogieıışs are powered while the articulated bogie is trailing.
The auxiliary power system is based on a static converter-inverter, supplied from a 750-Vdc third rail and supplying 3-phase x 400 Vac at 50 Hz for compressor, fans, lights, battery charging, etc. The 24-Vdc battery system supplies the on-board computer as well as other safety systems such as automatic train control (ATC), train radio, passenger displays, emergency lights, etc. The tunnel safety aspects have top priority.
A more ambitious rapid transit system, named İZBAN
İZBAN
İZBAN, sometimes referred to as Egeray, is a commuter rail system serving İzmir and its metropolitan area. It is the busiest commuter railway in Turkey, serving about 150,000 passengers daily. İZBAN is a portmanteau of the words "İzmir" and "Banliyö". Established in 2006 and began operations in...
connects the north of the city, Aliağa
Aliaga
Aliaga can refer to:* Aliaga, Aragon, Spain* Aliağa, Turkey* the Filipino municipality of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija on Luzon* a family name, as in the case of the Peruvian writer Felipe Pardo y Aliaga...
to the south terminus of Cumaovası, via Adnan Menderes Airport
Adnan Menderes Airport
İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport is an airport serving İzmir and is named after former Turkish prime minister Adnan Menderes. It is located in the Gaziemir area of İzmir....
and several other important financial and commercial areas such as Karşıyaka
Karsiyaka
Karşıyaka is a district of İzmir Province in Turkey. It is part of the Greater Metropolitan Area of İzmir, in other words a metropolitan district, the second largest after Konak in terms of population, and it is almost entirely urbanized at the rate of 99,9 per cent, with corresponding high levels...
and Alsancak
Alsancak
Alsancak is a centrally situated large quarter in İzmir, Turkey, within the boundaries of the metropolitan district of Konak, the historic center of the city....
. The İzban and Metro will provide interchange with each other at Halkapınar
Halkapınar (Izmir Metro)
The Halkapınar Metro Station is a metro station on the Izmir Metro. The station was built in 1999 and opened in 2000. The station is a part of the Halkapınar Transportation Center where connections are available to the Turkish State Railways and ESHOT, İZULAŞ bus services...
station
Basic fare on the Metro is 1.70 TL if the Kentkart is used. By the end of 2011, the Metro, or any other transport system in the city will no longer accept cash, or the jeton, (token) which is brought by cash and used to pass the ticket barriers at the stations. The Metro carries about 30 million passengers/year and to the end of September 2005 160 million passengers had travelled since the opening in May 2000.