Started service on May 22, 2000 Izmir Metro Inc., thanked its staff for completing 25 years in a special ceremony. In the past quarter century Carrying more than 1 billion 717 million passengers The company stated that its employees are a big family and that they are proud to serve the people of Izmir.
Transportation Backbone of Izmir: Metro and Tram Networks
The lifeblood of transportation in Izmir Evka-3 – Narlıdere District Governorship Metro, Konak, Karşıyaka and Çiğli Tram İzmir Metro A.Ş., which operates the metro line, has successfully completed its 25th year of service. The company, which started providing public transportation services on May 22, 2000, with a line length of 11 kilometers and 10 stations between Üçyol and Bornova, has continued on its path with firm steps by growing over the years.
The metro line extending from Bornova to Evka-3, from Üçyol to Fahrettin Altay and then to Narlıdere District Governorship, Konak, Karşıyaka and Çiğli gained more strength with the trams. With these expansions, İzmir became a total of 60 kilometers of light rail transportation system After carrying billions of passengers, Izmir Metro A.Ş. now Buca Metro will continue on its way by growing.
25 Years of Dedication and Emotional Moments from Employees
Izmir Metro A.Ş. employees stated that they have been working meticulously for 25 years to provide the best service to the people of Izmir. The personnel, who describe themselves as “a family,” were honored with a ceremony held in the 25th year of their term of office. The statements of the employees revealed their dedication to their jobs and the importance they attach to passengers:
Workshop worker Cemil Kush, explained that he has been working in the workshop for 25 years and started this job after an injury in his football career. “We loved the metro very much, we put in a lot of effort. We have left our mark and effort on all the trains,” said Kuş, noting that while 25-30 thousand passengers were initially targeted per day, this figure has reached 400-450 thousand. He added that they think of the passengers as their own family and do their best not to make mistakes.
Again, working in the workshop for 25 years Hakan Cakin, said that İzmir Metro A.Ş. was his first workplace after university and that he was very happy and proud of this situation. Çakın, who stated that he remembered the first day and the number of the first vehicle very well, expressed his commitment to his job with the words, “I had very good days here. Sometimes I have work outside and I want to go back to the workshop immediately.”
Vatman Huseyin Ogunc, stated that he had previously worked as a security guard and that Izmir Metro was a chance in his life. “Time flies, our job is fast-paced. We are racing against time. I don’t know how it went. 25 years flew by like water. We always say let no accidents cause trouble, let us retire with pleasure,” he shared his feelings.
Konak Tramway Operations Manager Bahadir Yigit Yiğit stated that 25 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Stating that he started his duty in 2000 before the metro was put into operation and that he has held various positions from controller to his current position, he wished him "many more 25 years."
Stations Manager Tamer İş expressed his surprise at how quickly time passed, saying, "It went by like the wind. We will continue to work as long as we can."
This ceremony was an indication that İzmir Metro A.Ş. is not only a transportation organization but also a living and career area for its employees. Having left behind a quarter of a century in İzmir's public transportation, the company will continue to grow with new projects and serve the city's residents.
