Investments did not slow down in İzmir, which experienced the biggest epidemic of the century, earthquake and flood disaster together. In line with the goal of bringing public transportation to contemporary standards, historical breakthroughs have been made in rail system investments in the last two years. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerWhile the foundation of Çiğli Tram was laid in line with the goal of "Weaving İzmir with iron nets", the Narlıdere Metro construction was completed at a rate of 73 percent. The tender process of Buca Metro, with a budget of 10 billion lira, has begun.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has carried out important projects to increase the living standards of Izmir residents in the last two years. Despite the fight against the coronavirus epidemic affecting the whole world and the financial burden brought by the process, investments did not stop. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality focused on transportation investments that reduce the carbon footprint in urban transportation. Sustainable transportation approach that protects the climate, nature and the environment was taken as the main priority. All major transportation investments were realized with equity capital, thanks to the strong financial structure of the municipality and the reliability it created in the international arena. An intensive working period was spent with international financial institutions for rail system investments. The loan received from the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank of China for the construction of Narlıdere Metro became the first infrastructure resource given by the bank to any municipality in the world. Sea transportation was strengthened, the bus fleet was renewed. The bicycle infrastructure in the city was developed and the bicycle was integrated with public transportation vehicles.
We stand behind our word
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer“Despite the economic crisis that deepened with the pandemic, the serious decrease in the revenues of our municipality, the earthquake and the latest flood disaster, we continue all our investments with determination. We said, 'We will weave İzmir with iron nets'. We are honored to fulfill this promise we made to the people of İzmir one by one, with our investments in Çiğli Tram, Narlıdere Metro, Buca Metro, which we will start construction, and Karabağlar metro, whose project studies are ongoing. We realize all these big transportation investments thanks to our equity and the reliability created by the strong financial structure of our municipality in the international arena. We are constantly working hard to improve the quality of life of our city by providing environmentally friendly, qualified, reliable, unhindered, economical and comfortable public transportation to all parts of İzmir.”
Narlıdere Metro is being completed
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerThe works in the Fahrettin Altay-Narlıdere Metro, which was at the level of 12 percent at the time of his appointment, continued uninterrupted despite the pandemic. A loan of 125 million Euros was provided for the project. 73 percent of the construction has been completed. 12 thousand 25 meters of tunnel was opened. Fahrettin Altay and the first tunnel in the direction of Narlıdere District Governor's Office, excavation works have been completed. The 7.2 kilometer Fahrettin Altay-Narlıdere metro line consists of 7 stations.
With this line, the Metropolitan Municipality will increase the number of stations in the light rail system network to 24 and the length of the rail system to 186,5 kilometers. With the completion of the works, those who take the metro from Bornova EVKA-3 will be able to go directly to Narlıdere District Governorship. The metro line will be completed in 2022.
Construction of Çiğli Tramway started
Izmir added a new link to its rail system investments this year. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will realize with an investment of 414 million lira Karşıyaka- The foundation of the Çiğli tram line was laid with a ceremony attended by CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in February. Metropolitan made a first in the Çiğli Tram tender and obliged the contractor firm to employ newly graduated engineers and architects. Planned to be completed within two years Karşıyaka Çiğli Tramway, which is the continuation of the tram, is 11 kilometers long and consists of 14 stations. Line route Karşıyaka Cevreyolu Station was planned to serve Ataşehir, Çiğli İstasyonaltı Mahallesi, Çiğli İzban Station, Çiğli Regional Training Hospital, Ata Industrial Zone, Katip Çelebi University and Atatürk Organized Industrial Zone. With the opening of the Çiğli Tramway, the length of the tram lines in İzmir will reach 33,6 kilometers.
Buca Metro set off
While the construction works of the Narlıdere metro line were continuing, action was taken for the new metro lines. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is holding an international pre-qualification tender on April 1 for the construction of the Üçyol-Buca Metro line, which will be the largest investment in the history of Izmir with a budget of 70 billion 28 million Euros. The construction of the project, which will give Buca a breath, is expected to start in November at the latest. The total foreign loan provided by the Metropolitan for this project without the Treasury guarantee reached 490 million Euros.
Buca Metro, which will be 13,5 kilometers long and will consist of 11 stations, will serve between Üçyol Station-Dokuz Eylül University Tınaztepe Campus-Çamlıkule. The line, starting from Üçyol and consisting of 11 stations, will include Zafertepe, Bozyaka, General Asım Gündüz, Şirinyer, Buca Municipality, Butchers, Hasanağa Garden, Dokuz Eylül University, Buca Koop and Çamlıkule stations. The Buca line will meet at Üçyol Station with the second stage line running between F. Altay-Bornova, and the İZBAN line at Şirinyer Station. Train sets on this line will provide driverless service.
Metro line is coming to Karabakh
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality started a very important project that will solve the transportation problem in the district of Karabağlar, where the population density is high in the city. Project studies of the 28-kilometer-long Karabağlar-Gaziemir metro line have been initiated. The line to be built between Halkapınar and Adnan Menderes Airport will follow the route of Menderes, Gaziemir, Airport, İzmir Fair, Eskiizmir, Karabağlar, Eşrefpaşa, Gürçeşme, Tepecik, Food Bazaar and Halkapınar respectively. The metro line, which will be the longest in the city with 28 kilometers, will connect dense residential areas as well as important business centers such as Sarnıç, ESBAŞ, Fuar İzmir, Kemeraltı and Gıda Çarşısı.
Two ships, 451 buses were purchased
Continuing its investments to strengthen sea transportation in the Gulf, the Metropolitan Municipality has put two new ferries named Fethi Sekin and Uğur Mumcu into service. In addition, pier construction works were started on the way to start sea transportation in Karaburun. One third of the bus fleet was renewed. By signing the largest single bus tender in the country, 647 buses were purchased, 364 of which were designed to transport disabled citizens at one time, with an investment of 4 million lira. State-of-the-art, disabled-accessible, air-conditioned buses, which meet Euro 451 exhaust emission standards, feature passenger information screens and announcement system, phone and tablet charging points, floor and ceiling heat insulation, tilting to the right at the stops and driver safety cabin. In addition, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality put into service the first anti-virus safe bus in the world during the pandemic period. Three Nostalgic Trams started their journey in Kordon to serve for touristic purposes.
İZTAŞIT application started
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has undertaken an important project that will increase public transportation facilities to districts outside the city center. Motor carriers cooperatives serving by minibuses have been included in Izmir's public transportation network. 31 İZTAŞIT vehicle was put into service on the F.Altay –Seferihisar line. Efforts are underway to spread the practice in other surrounding districts. In order to ease public transportation Karşıyaka12 new bus lines were opened in Çiğli, Bornova, Gaziemir, Üçkuyular and Urla districts.
Bicycle transportation has become attractive in İzmir
In line with the goal of becoming a sustainable and resilient city, important steps have been taken to increase the use of bicycles in the city. The Smart Bicycle Rental System (BİSİM) has been developed with new stations and new bicycles. With 23 stations put into service, the number of BİSİM stations was increased to 55, and the number of bicycles was increased to 200 with 650 bicycles purchased. In addition, 70 tandem (double) bicycles were made available. Finally, 23 children's bicycles were purchased, which will be available to children as of April 120. The fee for boarding the ferry for cyclists was 5 kurus. All of the solo buses purchased have a bicycle carrying apparatus. A new 10,3-kilometer bicycle path was built. Construction of 175 bicycle parking spaces and a 40 km bicycle path continue.
Passport Pier has been renewed
The renovations at the Passport Pier, which serves an average of 2 passengers a day, have been completed with an investment of 500 million 1 thousand TL. Within the scope of the works, the bearing steel constructions, wooden floor coverings and guardrails on the pedestrian road providing access to the pier were renewed, and all the wooden floor coverings and railings on the part of the ships approaching were also meticulously overhauled.
Halk Vehicle application started
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerPublic Vehicle Application, one of the projects promised by . According to the application, which has attracted great interest from the people of Izmir, transportation has become 2019 percent discounted for those traveling in all public transportation vehicles affiliated to Izmir Metropolitan Municipality between 05.00-07.00 in the morning and 19.00-20.00 in the evening. In addition, low-income families with children aged 50-0 were also provided with a transportation card for 5 rides per month. Nearly 10 thousand citizens benefited from this application called Child İzmirim Card.
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