Apaydın: “We Made It Together With Railroaders”: ”With the adoption of railways as a state policy since 2003, the running of iron horses on rails resumed.
Having served as Deputy General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors for 30 years at TCDD, where he has been working for 10 years. İsa Apaydınwas the background architect of the projects which reminded of high-speed trains, especially railways. Appointed as the General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2016, Apaydın was selected to the very important international position as UIC Vice President with his successful works.
The owner of the international awards İsa ApaydınWe talked with TCDD's new goals and the important works currently being carried out.
Dear General Manager, you have served as the deputy general manager for many years in one of the biggest and deep-rooted institutions of our country. Now you are in the chair of the general manager. As you know, there are great developments in the field of railways in the world and in our country. Before mentioning these, can you briefly tell the 1856-year-old story of the railways from 160 to today in order to find out where we came from?
The first encounter of the Anatolian people by rail was in 1856. September 23, 1856 date of construction of the 130-kilometer İzmir-Aydın line with the foot on the iron horses to Anatolia, Turkey's economic, social and cultural forms was also a turning point. Great importance was attached to the railways in the Ottoman Period. A total of 8.619 km of railways were built, especially the Hejaz Line, which had a great impact in the world under the conditions of that day. However, only 4.136 km of these remained within our present borders.
1923 mileage was built between 1950-3.764 in the early years of the Republic. In this period, railways were considered as a modernization project with all social aspects that encompassed development and development. Lines operated by foreign companies were purchased from 1928-1948 and nationalized.
1950'dan 2003 year until half a century while the railroad was neglected as the period took its place in history. During this time, only 945 kilometers were built. With the adoption of railways as state policy since 2003, the race of the iron horses on the rails has started again.
With the support of our governments, which have been neglected for many years, a large investment has been made in excess of 60 billion pounds so far. With these investments, dozens of projects have been implemented, from the modernization of the existing lines to the logistics centers, R & D studies and the construction of city rail systems, especially in the high-speed train projects. The development of the railway industry, domestic and national production continues to work.
What has happened in the last 14 year in the context of high-speed and fast rail projects, National Train projects and the renewal and modernization of existing roads? How did the transition to modernization take place?
The transition from the perception of 'Black Train' to modern train management was not easy. First of all, a will in favor of railways was required in transportation. When we came to 2003, our biggest advantage was that we had a prime minister and minister who loved the railway. With the leadership of the current President of the Republic, the architecture of our Prime Minister and the support of our Minister, important changes such as the transition from winter to spring and from dark to light have taken place on the railways.
While 100-150 has carried out the renewal of untouched roads for years, on the other hand, we started to make these lines electrified and signaled. We are continuing our efforts to minimize the energy consumption to increase the speed of trains and line capacity.
We built the High Speed Train (YHT) line between Ankara and Eskişehir and opened it in 2009. The opening of this line was a turning point for our country's railways. YHT1eri, which provides fast, safe and extremely comfortable travel for the developed countries, has now become operational. After that, YHT operation that we started in Ankara-Konya, Ankara-Istanbul and Konya-Istanbul lines continues successfully. So far, we have traveled over 31 with more than one million passengers.
We planned the logistics center at 20 point to increase the competitiveness of our industrialists and make our country the logistics base of the region. Samsun, Istanbul-HalkalıWe completed the construction of the logistics center in Eskişehir (Hasanbey), Denizli (Kaklık), Kocaeli (Köseköy), Uşak and Balıkesir (Gökköy) and put it into service.
Construction of logistics centers in Kars, Bilecik (Bozüyük), Erzurum (Palandöken), Mersin (Yenice), Kahramanmaraş (Türkoğlu) and İzmir (Kemalpaşa); Tender, project and expropriation processes of logistics centers in Istanbul-Yeşilbayır, Mardin, Şırnak (Habur), Kayseri, Sivas, Konya (Kayacık) and Bitlis (Tatvan) continue.
The foundation of our city of serhat, Kars Logistics Center, which will be one of the most important logistics centers of our country, was laid on April 7, 2017 by our Minister.
300 175 is built on a thousand square meters area, 412 thousand square meter container stock area and 16 thousand tons per year carrying capacity in our logistics center 6,2 km railway, the connection to the national railway network to connect the XNUMX km iltisak line will be built.
Kars Logistics Center, where 500 will be employed, will not only be a candidate for the region, but also the high-speed train line and the logistics base of the Caucasus with the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway.
"SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE IN DOMESTIC AND NATIONAL PRODUCTION"
In every aspect, we continue to work intensively to produce our original National Train to our country. We rejuvenate our fleet of towing and towing vehicles that serve in our conventional lines with high fuel efficiency and efficient vehicles. We have taken significant distances to bring the domestic railway technology to our country. Today we are able to produce our own rail, our own wagon, railway materials, wagons and locomotives.
We have produced projects to transform urban and inter-city travels from being an ordeal to a pleasant one. With our domestic diesel train sets, our passengers prefer our trains again for intercity travels. We have established the longest and most modern rail system of our country in cooperation with the Metropolitan Municipality in Izmir and we are operating successfully. Marmaray, the project of the century, which reduced the travel time between Asia and Europe to 4 minutes, became indispensable for Istanbulites.
We have projects for Başkentray in Ankara, Gaziray in Gaziantep and Balray in Balıkesir. Our work continues. We are also establishing a suburban system in Kayseri.
After Marmaray in Istanbul and Egeray in Izmir, Başkentray became a beacon of hope for Ankara residents. They are impatiently waiting for this project to come to life. Can you explain a little more about this project that excites citizens?
The rapid urbanization, population growth and transportation problems experienced in our country in recent years appear as a problem. The capital city of Ankara is one of the cities with rapidly increasing population. We are carrying out Başkentray Project on the 36 km line between Sincan-Kayaş in order to solve Ankara's urban traffic problem and to provide safe, convenient and comfortable transportation services to Ankara residents.
In order to differentiate between the high speed and conventional train operations, there is a new railway line between Sincan-Ankara-Kayaş and 2 line between Ankara-Kayaş and 4 line between Ankara and Marşandiz and 6 line between Marşandiz and Sincan. It will be brought. We make all the stations on the line suitable for the use of our disabled citizens.
Passenger traffic is concentrated in the Sincan, Lale, Etimesgut, Hippodrome, Yenişehir, Mamak and Kayaş stations of passengers, food, books, newspapers, etc. closed station areas where they can easily meet their needs. Within the scope of the project, the YHT terminal will be constructed in Etimesgut-Emirler. 5 minutes between Xinjiang-Kayas-Xinjiang also run a train. With the services of the 200 thousand passengers a day will be a comfortable breath. We are conducting the construction works of Başkentray, which we continue for a day and night to offer the services of the residents of Ankara, without disrupting the traffic.
What are the features of Ankara YHT Station, which has recently entered service? What will this work bring to Başkent?
Ankara, Turkey Ankara YHT for important projects we see as one of the station, Mr. President on 29 October 2016 and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. The Ankara YHT Station, which is planned to connect to Başkentray, Ankaray and Keçiören subways and reflects today's architectural understanding, was built to serve 50 thousand passengers per day. At the YHT Station, which consists of 8 floors and where all the needs of the disabled can be met easily; There are social and cultural facilities such as car parks for 1.910 vehicles, commercial areas, cafes-restaurants, business offices, multi-purpose halls, prayer rooms, first aid and security units and a hotel. Ankara YHT Station, which has 3 platforms and 6 YHT lines, has already taken an important place in Ankara's social and cultural life as well as offering comfortable travel opportunities to our passengers.
Will there be a need for new YHT sets to serve the existing high-speed train lines as well as the newly built high-speed train lines? Do you work in this direction?
To serve on our high-speed train lines, we have procured 250 YHT sets suitable for 12 km / h and 300 YHT sets suitable for 7 km / h. In addition to these, we are carrying out a project to supply a total of 106 YHT new sets. The tender process of the first 10 sets, which will be procured urgently due to need, continues. Our tender preparations continue for the supply of 96 sets with the Industry Cooperation Program (SIP) model. Of the said 96 YHT set; We planned to produce the first 20 directly by the contractor, 60 YHT sets at TÜLOMSAŞ with a 53 percent localization rate, and the remaining 16 YHT sets at TÜLOMSAŞ as the National Train with a 74 percent localization rate.
What stage has been reached in the liberalization process of the Railway Sector and the restructuring of TCDD? Which tasks will TCDD carry out in the new period?
2013 concerning the liberalization of the railways in Turkey were taken a very important step. Free, competitive, with sustainable economic and social aspects of EU legislation prepared in order to create a harmonious railway sector of Turkey No. 6461 on Liberalization of the Railway Transport Act was adopted in Parliament. We have successfully completed the restructuring of TCDD and the establishment of TCDD Tasimacilik AS within the scope of the Law, which is considered the new milestone of railways. In the new period, while TCDD continues its activities as a railway infrastructure operator, train management has been established as a subsidiary of TCDD "TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ." started to be executed by. In addition to the public, companies authorized by the Ministry can also become railway train operators.
"THE BIGGEST SHARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES IN OUR SUCCESS"
We see that the railway projects have gained momentum with you coming to your office. In addition to your position as General Director of TCDD, you have been selected for national and international missions and received awards. Could you tell us a little about this?
Our successful projects, especially high-speed rail, do not escape the attention of international organizations. As a railway family of 30 thousand people, we work day and night with a team spirit and succeed together. Therefore, I would like to thank our devoted employees. After I became the General Manager, I was elected first as the President of the Middle East Regional Board of the International Railways Association (UIC), which has 5 members in 195 continents, and as the Vice President of this organization on December 01, 2016. As a Turk, who has been elected for the first time in the history of UIC, I feel great honor and pride on behalf of my country and TCDD.
Our YHT projects were deemed worthy of the 'Heydar Aliyev Year Award' in the category of "Transcendent Projects in Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism" organized within the scope of the Mimar Sinan International Project Olympics. In addition, the "Silk Road Civilizations Distinguished Service Award" was given to me on behalf of our Organization by the Union of Engineers and Architects of the Turkish World. I would like to thank my colleagues who have the biggest share in winning these awards.
TCDD'S DUTIES
İsa Apaydın, No. 6461 Turkey TCDD tasks with the Law on the Liberalization of Railway Transport, said:
- To manage the railway traffic on national railway infrastructure network as monopoly,
-To determine the traffic management wages on the railway infrastructure in a cost-effective and non-discriminatory manner for all train operators, to accrue and collect the related railway train operators
- To determine the traffic management wages on the national railway infrastructure network which are not under the protection of all railway infrastructure operators with equal conditions and in a non-discriminatory manner, to accrue and collect the related railway infrastructure operator,
To operate, operate or rent the non-railway areas of the railway infrastructure,
- Improving, renewing, expanding, maintenance and repairing of the railway infrastructure,
- To make or have a railway infrastructure for high speed and fast train transportation,
- Establishing, establishing, developing, operating or operating network and communication facilities
-Making other tasks given with the Mother Statute
What are the objectives of TCDD 2023?
General manager İsa ApaydınListed the 2023 targets of TCDD as follows;
- 3.500 km high speed rail, 8.500 km and 1.000 km conventional rail 13.000 km railway by making 2023 km in total 25.000 km rail length to reach,
-4.400 km to complete the renewal of all lines by renewing the line,
- The share of railway transportation; up to% 10 at the passenger and% 15 at the load,
- Completion of the liberalization process of railway sector,
- Formation of national railway standards,
- Ensuring effective and continuous implementation of the Safety Management System at all levels of infrastructure and management and making it a sectoral culture,
-Improving the laştırıl National Signal System “developed and become a brand,
- Making the existing vehicles suitable for high speed train lines, producing all kinds of railway vehicles in our country,
-To increase the connection between logistics centers with factory potential, factory, industry, OIZ and ports to the ports, and to ensure the development of combined and freight transportation,
- Establishment and commissioning of Railroad Transportation Institute,
- Supporting R & D with National Railway industry and developing all kinds of railway technology,
- Development of international railway corridors.
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