Besides being one of Turkey's most important touristic destinations, Antalya is a city that draws attention with its dense population. However, the increasing traffic problem in this rapidly growing and developing city led local governments to seek solutions. Antalya Metropolitan Municipality plans to use a loan from Europe to expand rail system applications to address the traffic problem and create a more sustainable transportation system. However, the approval of the Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek is required for this loan to be used.
Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin Böcek, Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Eray Erdem, Alanya Touristic Operators Association (ALTI D) President Burhan Sili and representatives from the tourism sector, at a meeting held with the participation of representatives from the tourism sector, it was announced that a decision was taken to expand the rail system applications to solve the traffic problem. This decision includes the use of 59 million Euros from the French Development Agency.
In his speech at the meeting, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Insect stated that this decision was unanimously accepted in the parliament and financial resources were provided. However, he stated that the approval of the Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek should be waited for the loan to be used. If the approval is given in July, the work will begin for the use of the loan. However, if approval is not obtained, the loan will be returned and different financial resources will be sought for the expansion of rail system applications.
The steps taken to expand the rail system applications in order to solve the traffic problem of Antalya and ensure the sustainability of the transportation system are considered as an important development. Waiting for the approval of Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek for the use of the 59 million Euro loan to be provided by the French Development Agency is a critical stage for the project. It is of great importance to implement such projects in order to preserve the touristic potential of Antalya and to solve the traffic problem. A positive response in July will raise hopes for the development of Antalya's transport infrastructure.