TCDD General Manager Süleyman Karaman announced that with the completion of the Ankara - Istanbul High Speed Train line, they aim to carry 50 thousand passengers a day between the two cities. Karaman stated that the ticket prices will be lower than the plane prices.
For the groundbreaking ceremony of the Köseköy-Gebze section of the Ankara-Istanbul YHT Line, Karaman and journalists came from Ankara to Eskişehir with the Piri Reis Test train and then to Köseköy by a special train. Karaman, who made statements to journalists on the train and answered questions, gave information about the line.
30 kilometers of tunnel opened
Reminding that the 523-kilometer Ankara-Eskişehir section of the 276-kilometer Ankara-Istanbul High-Speed Train line was put into service in 2009, Karaman announced that the construction of the 30-kilometer Eskişehir-Inönü section of the Eskişehir-Istanbul stage has been completed and that trial runs will begin. Stating that the construction of the 148-kilometer İnönü – Köseköy section is continuing, Karaman stated that the construction of this section was carried out under very difficult conditions and gave the following information:
“In this region, road and railway have to pass together in a narrow area. Therefore, we have difficulties in construction from time to time. This line has the world's most modern TBM (tunnel boring machine), which railroaders call 'mole'. This machine is the 5th largest machine in the world. It can open 20 meters tunnel per day. We have 6 kilometers of tunnels in this section. The Bolu tunnel was 3 kilometers. In this section, a total of 50 kilometers consists of tunnels and the construction of the 30 kilometers tunnel has been completed. There are a total of 13 kilometers of viaducts. ”
50 thousand passengers per day between Ankara and Istanbul
Pointing out that the foundation of the 56-kilometer Köseköy-Gebze section of the Ankara-Istanbul YHT Project will be laid, Karaman stated that with the opening of this section, the line will be connected to Marmaray and the Ankara-Istanbul YHT Line will be completed.
Karaman stated that the daily passenger potential between Ankara and Istanbul is 75 thousand and they aim to carry an average of 50 thousand passengers per day with the line put into service.
Stating that the tunnels under the sea have ended in Marmaray, the rails have started to be laid, Karaman pointed out that 56 percent of the financing of the 85-km Köseköy-Gebze line will be covered as a grant from EU funds. The next line will benefit from grants in voicing Karaman, "We enter the EU before Turkey, and we got the grant," he said.
Obtaining 6 million euros in 600 years from the target EU
Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Suat Hayri Aka, also stated that they want to receive a grant from the fund before membership. Noting that they aim to receive 6 million euros in total in the next 600 years from EU funds, Aka stated that the railways are considered as "green projects" because they are environmentally friendly and supported by the EU.
Answering the questions of journalists, Karaman explained that the most important problem is the inappropriate ground and expropriation conflicts upon the question of what problems they experienced most in the construction of YHT lines.
Will the Ankara-Istanbul line be completed in 2013? Could there be a delay? ” Karaman pointed out that unpredictable problems may arise, but the problems can be clarified by starting trial runs. Expressing that they intend to open the Ankara-Eskişehir line after a 6-month trial, however, they faced a problem that they could not anticipate due to bird deaths during the trials, and explained the problem as follows:
“When we started trial runs, we did not know that a bird problem would arise. When we started trials, the birds came and started to hit the train. We searched for a solution but couldn't find it. We asked the World Railways Association. They stated that there was no solution in the answer from them and that the birds would get used to the trains over time. We slowed down the speed until they got used to it and then started to increase. It only took 6 months. Now they got used to it and we don't have such a problem. ”
Ticket prices will be lower than the plane
Upon asking how much the ticket prices will be with the Ankara-Istanbul line coming into service, Karaman said that they have not set the ticket prices yet, but will be lower than the plane tickets. Reminiscent of that of high prices in Europe Karaman, the ticket prices will be lower than in Turkey and Europe in particular will be implemented with discounts for students who use too.
Reminding the criticism that YHT's speed is low, Karaman stated that the important thing is not speed, but safety. Karaman said, “High-speed train operation in the world is between 250 and 350 kilometers. The sections with 350 kilometers of operation are also very few. Speeds of 450-500 kilometers are mentioned. There is no such business. We bought trains with a speed of 250 kilometers, taking into account the terrain conditions. With the purchase of new trains, we will be able to accelerate to 350 kilometers between Ankara and Konya.”
Between Ankara and Eskişehir consumes 1 pounds per passenger
Upon asking how much the energy consumption of YHT is, Karaman explained that the trains use 400 pounds of electricity each time between Ankara and Eskişehir and consumes 1 pounds of energy per passenger. Karaman also pointed out that the high speed train contributes to energy saving.
Upon the question of whether there is a power failure, Karaman, 2 1 once a year they experienced a power outage, there were alternative power lines against interruptions announced.
Piri Reis test train takes MR of lines
Karaman and journalists, who made the journey between Ankara and Eskişehir with the Piri Reis test train for the groundbreaking ceremony, received information about the test train. Karaman said that there are 5-6 of the test train in the world, by measuring all parts of the line and fixing the problems. Karaman said, "We are taking MR of some kind of line."
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