Istanbul Metro

The Istanbul Metro ( tr, İstanbul metrosu) is a rapid transit railway network that serves the city of Istanbul, Turkey. It is operated by Metro Istanbul, a company (formerly known as ''İstanbul Ulaşım A.Ş.'' before 2016), a public enterprise, controlled by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The oldest section of the metro is the M1 line, which opened in 1989; it now includes 111 stations in service, with 100 more under construction.

The system consists of eight lines: the lines designated M1A, M1B, M2, M3, M6, M7 and M9 are on the European side of the Bosporus, while Lines M4 and M5 are on the Asian side. The European and Asian networks do not connect directly, but have been linked to each other through the Marmaray system since 2013. More Metro lines are under construction or planned: M8 (Bostancı-Parseller), M12 (60. Yıl Parkı-Kazım Karabekir) and the M14 (Altunizade-Kazım Karabekir) will be on the Asian side, while M11 (Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport-Halkalı) will be on the European side.

Istanbul Metro is connected with the underground systems of the Marmaray tunnel (which connects the lines on the city's European and Asian sides) and the F1 funicular, and with the surface network of the T1 and T4 tram systems as well as the T5 tram.

History

The oldest underground urban rail line in Istanbul is the Tünel, which entered service on 17 January 1875. It is the world's second-oldest underground urban rail line after the London Underground which was built in 1863, and the first underground urban rail line in continental Europe.

The first master plan for a full metro network in Istanbul, titled ''Avant Projet d'un Métropolitain à Constantinople'' and conceived by the French engineer L. Guerby, dates to 10 January 1912. The plan comprised a total of 24 stations between the Topkapı and Şişli districts and included a connection through the Golden Horn. Each station would have a 75-metre platform next to the rail line, while the distance between stations varied from 220 to 975 metres. The blueprints of the project, which was never realized, are today displayed at the Istanbul Technical University Museum.

In 1936 the French urban planner Henri Prost proposed a metro network between the districts of Taksim and Beyazıt, to the north and south of the Golden Horn, respectively. In October 1951 the Dutch firm Nedeco proposed a similar route between Taksim and Beyazıt, and in September 1952 the Director of the Paris Transportation Department, Marc Langevin, prepared a 14-chapter report together with his associate Louis Meizzonet for the implementation of the project and its integration with the other means of public transportation in the city. However, these plans never came into effect and all proposals were put on hold until 1987, when the planning for the current Istanbul Metro was made.

Construction works for the first 'modern' mass transit railway system started in 1989. The M1 was initially called "Hafif Metro" (which literally translates as "light metro"). Although it was built as a fully grade separated line, the M1 line operates with shorter trainsets and shorter station platforms than is standard on a traditional metro line, hence its "light metro" designation. The M1 line was later extended from Aksaray towards the western suburbs, reaching Atatürk Airport in the southwest in 2002.

Construction of the M2 line began on 11 September 1992, but faced many challenges due to the numerous archaeological sites that were discovered during the drilling process, which slowed down or fully stopped the construction of many stations, especially at the south. Taking into account the seismic activity in Istanbul, the entire network was built with the cut-and-cover method to withstand an earthquake of up to 9.0 on the Richter magnitude scale.

The first section between Taksim and 4. Levent entered service, after some delays, on 16 September 2000. This line is long and has 6 stations, which all look similar but are in different colours. In 2000, there were 8 Alstom-built 4-car train sets in service, which ran every 5 minutes on average and transported 130,000 passengers daily. On 30 January 2009, the first train sets built by Eurotem entered service. Eurotem will build a total of 92 new wagons for the M2 line. As of 30 January 2009, a total of 34 trainsets, each with 4 cars, were being used on the M2 line. A northern extension from 4. Levent to Maslak was opened on 30 January 2009. On 2 September 2010 the northern (temporary) terminus Darüşşafaka followed. The southern extension of the M2 line from Taksim to Yenikapı, across the Golden Horn via Haliç station on the bridge and underground through the historic peninsula, entered service on 15 February 2014. The Taksim-Yenikapı extension is 5.2 km long, with four stations. The total cost of the extension was $593 million. At Yenikapı it will intersect with the extended M1 line and the Marmaray commuter line.

The trip between the Şişhane station in Beyoğlu and the Haciosman station in Maslak is long and takes 27 minutes; including Şişhane - Taksim (1.65 km, 2 minutes), Taksim - 4. Levent (8.5 km, 12 minutes), and 4. Levent - Haciosman (8.1 km, 12 minutes.) The total length of the European side of the M2 line will reach when all 16 stations from Hacıosman to Yenikapı will be completed; not including the 936-metre-long Golden Horn Metro Bridge, the 0.6 km long Taksim-Kabataş tunnel connection with the Seabus port, and the 0.6 km long Yenikapı-Aksaray tunnel connecting the M1 line to the Yenikapı Transfer Center.

On the Asian side, construction is in progress of the remaining portion of the long M4 line from Kadıköy to Kaynarca, yielding a total of 19 stations. It cost €751 million and was built by the Astaldi / Makyol / Gülermak consortium. The first section opened on 17 August 2012, terminating in Kartal. Construction of the long M5 line from Üsküdar via Ümraniye to Sancaktepe started in March 2012.

Operations

The Metro operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM every 6–12 minutes. M2 Yenikapı - Hacıosman operates from 06:00 AM to 00.00 AM. During peak hours the intervals could be reduced to 3 to 4 minutes. There is a flat fare – 3.50 TL with Istanbulkart only. The Marmaray fare is 7.75TL, but it may refund a portion of it depending on the number of stops you travelled through. The Metrobüs works in a similar way and the fare is 3.85 TL with refunds. The refunds can be collected from the refund machines that can be found at each station. All means of transport provide a discount for interchanges except Metrobüs. Istanbulkart is also valid, which is the most popular method for long-distance travelling. The Istanbulkart is valid on all metros, trams, funiculars, ferry boats and buses. Ferryboat and bus fares are not flat, so the price of this transfer ticket also varies depending on the distance to be covered on bus or ferryboat.

Night operations

During August 2019 the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, announced that many lines of Istanbul were going to provide 24 hours service during weekends with trains at 20 minutes interval. Since August 2019, the Istanbul Metro started to provide 24 hours service for some lines at weekends and public holidays but this service was discontinued in March 2020 due to coronavirus pandemic. On March 5, 2022 Metro Istanbul announced that the night metro service would be re-started on the lines: M1A Yenikapi-Atatürk Airport, M1B Yenikapi-Kirazli, M2 Yenikapi-Haciosman, M4 Kadikoy-Sabiha Gökçen Airport, M5 Uskudar-Cekmekoy and M6 Levent-Bogazici University/Hisarustu, and later added M7 Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey on July 14, 2022.

Metro lines

This table lists the metro, funicular, metrobus, cable car, train, tram lines currently operating in the Istanbul Metro. The new lines are under construction and planning.

Stations

The Istanbul Metro system has a total of 111 stations in operation with 100 more under construction. Since the majority of the system is underground, stations are generally accessed going down from street level. At every entrance to the metro is a post with the Istanbul metro "M" logo and the station name underneath it. Entrances are usually built into sidewalks along a street, although many stations of newer lines have their entrances from street level on small plazas.

Out of the 111 operating stations of the Istanbul Metro:

* 95 are fully underground
* 7 are elevated stations
* 7 are on an embankment or at-grade
* 2 are partially underground

Mezzanines

Most stations have a mezzanine directly below street level, which allows passengers to enter the stations from multiple locations and proceed to the correct platform without having to cross any streets. Inside the mezzanines are ticket machines and turnstiles, where passengers must pay to enter fare control zones and proceed to the trains.

In some stations, mezzanines connect directly to nearby buildings and structures, such as shopping malls or business centres. Each station concourse or mezzanine are patrolled by Istanbul Metro security guards to prevent fare evasion and crime.

Stations with large walkways toward different exits, such as Taksim also have travelators to cover the long walking distances.

Upon entering the station, passengers may use ticket vending machines or staffed ticket booths to purchase their fare, which can be stored on the Istanbulkart contactless smart card. After entering the fare-controlled area, via the turnstiles, passengers may continue further down to the platform level.

Platforms

Since the different lines of the Istanbul Metro have different specifications, most notably car length, there is no uniform length for platforms. The oldest platforms of the network, built between 1989 and 2002 on the M1 line, are and can accommodate trains up to 4 cars long. Platforms on the M2, M3, M4 and M7 lines span about and can each accommodate trains up to 8 cars long. Platforms on the M5 line can accommodate up to 6-car trains, whiles platforms on the M6 and M9 lines are accommodate 4-car trains.

Sections of platforms are subject to close during off-peak hours, especially on the M2 line. While platforms on the M2 line are open fully during peak hours, capacity is reduced to 4-car trains during off-peak hours. Platforms on the M5 line are protected by platform edge doors. Except on funicular lines, most platforms of the Istanbul Metro consist of two side platforms or one island platform. Five stations consist of two island platforms, serving three tracks in a configuration known as the Spanish Solution. These stations are Otogar on the M1 line, Yenikapı and Sanayi on the M2 line, Olimpiyat on the M9 line, and Bostancı on the M4 line.

Technical specifications

This table lists technical characteristics of the metro lines that are currently in service or under construction.

Alignment and interchanges

The lines have no connection between them. Apart from the Haliç station on the M2 line, about half of the M1 (mostly M1A) line, Alibeyköy and Kağıthane valleys crossing by the M7 line and viaduct section at Olimpiyat of the M9 line, the lines are fully underground. All station names are on the bus lines as well.

The M2 line has an interchange between F1 in Taksim and an interchange tunnel with the Zincirlikuyu Metrobus station at the Gayrettepe station. There is also a transfer station at Yenikapı with Marmaray, M1 line and İDO Ferry Port; from where it is possible to take the high-speed catamaran Seabus departing for Bursa, Bandırma or Yalova; as well as the other Seabus ports of İstanbul such as Bostancı, Kadıköy, Bakırköy and Kabataş.

The M3 line has an interchange with the M1B line at the Kirazlı station.

The M4 line has a vapur (traditional ferry), motorboat, İDO and nostalgic tram interchange at Kadıköy which is the heart of İstanbul's Asian side. One can also interchange to Marmaray at the Ayrılık Ceşmesi station. Also at Ünalan / Uzunçayır, the line has a Metrobus interchange just like Gayrettepe in M2.

The M5 line has an interchange with the Marmaray and İDO at the Üsküdar station. Also at Altunizade the line has a Metrobus interchange.

The M6 line has an interchange with the M2 line at the Levent station.

The M7 line interchanges with the M2 line at the Mecidiyeköy station, with the T4 tramway line at the Kiptaş-Venezia/Karadeniz station, and with the M3 at the Mahmutbey station.

The M9 has an interchange with the M3 at Ikitelli station.

Rolling stock

Although line M1 is a (light) metro line, its rolling stock—in use since 1989—is made up of typical ABB light rail vehicles (LRVs). These are partly the same as those used on the T4 tramway line.

The first Istanbul full metro rolling stocks, which entered service on 16 September 2000, on the Taksim - 4. Levent line, were built by Alstom. These trains are air-conditioned and equipped with LCD screens, and share a similar exterior design to the first three generations of rolling stock used on the Caracas Metro in Venezuela.

On 30 January 2009, the first 8 trains (each with 4 wagons) built by Eurotem (the Turkish factory of Hyundai Rotem) entered service. Today the system has 268 trains. These trains are also air conditioned and equipped with LCD screens, as well as dynamic route map showing the location and direction of the train.İstanbul Ulaşım: Metro Şişhane'den Maslak'a uzandı
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In September 2009, CAF signed a contract to supply 144 units for the M4 line, amounting to 1.156.159 euros. These metro units are formed with 4 cars for a total length of 90 meters and have a maximum transport capacity of 1300 passengers.

Future extensions

As part of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality goal of expanding the size of the city rail transportation network to by 2030, the Istanbul Metro has several lines that are under construction or planned. Since the city does not have a widespread railway network, the Metropolitan Municipality aims to connect urban areas of the city that do not have access to the Istanbul two coastal railways with metro lines.

None of the current Istanbul Metro lines cross the Bosphorus; lines are wholly located either on the European side or the Asian side of the city. In 2019, The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure began the planning of a line that would link İncirli with Söğütlüçeşme via a tunnel under the Bosphorus also designed to accommodate road traffic.

The following metro lines are under construction:

Construction of the following metro lines are planned or on hold:

European side

; M3 metro line extensions:
: Bakırköy– Kirazlı metro line. ''The 9 km extension project will integrate the line with Marmaray in its Özgürlük Meydanı Station, and İDO ferry station with Bakırköy İDO station.''
: Another extension will run north from Metrokent station to the Kayaşehir public housing development where it will intersect with the future Istanbul Airport metro line.

M7 metro line extension

:The M7 Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy metro line extension is under construction.The extension will have 4 new stations and is expected to go into service in 31 December 2022. It will interconnect with ferries at Beşiktaş and Kabataş stations, and with T1 trams line at Kabataş station.

M9 Metro Line extension

:The M9 Ataköy-Bahariye metro extension is under construction. It is due to open in 2023 and will introduce 9 new stations to the line. It will interconnect with the future M7 Esenyurt-Mahmutbey line at Atatürk station, with the future M1B line at Mimar Sinan station, with the M1A and the Bus rapid transit at Yenibosna station and with Marmaray and the IDO ferries at Ataköy station.

M11 Metro Line

The Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport metro line is under construction under a tender signed in 2016. The new airport will be connected with a metro system via a line starting from the Gayrettepe station, with a total length of 33 km that could be an estimated 26 minutes ride once ready for full operation. A partial opening was expected in the second half of 2020, but it was not realistic and is now expected in January 2023.

Asian side

;M4 metro line
M4 Kadıköy–İçmeler Metro Line is extending to İçmeler. Planned opening date is 2025.
# Kaynarca Merkez (M10 Line Interchange)
# Çamçeşme
# Kavakpınar
# Esenyalı
# Aydıntepe
# İçmeler (Marmaray Interchange)

;M5 metro line
M5 Üsküdar–Çekmeköy-Sultanbeyli Metro Line was being extended a tender signed in April 2017 but construction was restarted in November 2019. Planned opening date; 2023-2024
# Meclis
# Sarıgazi (M13 Line Interchange)
# Sancaktepe Şehir Hastanesi
# Sancaktepe
# Samandıra Merkez
# Veysel Karani
# Hasanpaşa
# Sultanbeyli

; M8 Bostancı-Parseller Metro Line
Planned opening date is 1 January 2023.

# Bostancı (Marmaray and YHT Interchange)
# Emin Ali Paşa
# Ayşekadın
# Kozyatağı (M4 Line Interchange)
# Küçükbakkalköy
# İçerenköy
# Kayışdağı
# Mevlana
# İMES
# MODOKO
# Dudullu (M5 Line Interchange)
# Huzur
# Parseller

; M12 60. Yıl Parkı-Kazım Karabekir Metro Line

This line will connect the underserved Ataşehir district with the regional centres of densely populated Ümraniye and integrate those districts into the İstanbul rapid rail system. Planned opening date is 2024.

# 60. Yıl Parkı
# Tütüncü Mehmet Efendi (Marmaray Interchange)
# Sahrayıcedit
# Yenisahra (M4 Line Interchange)
# Ataşehir
# Finans Merkezi
# Site
# Atakent
# Çarşı (M5 Line Interchange)
# SBÜ Hastanesi
# Kazım Karabekir

Network overview

Subway, commuter line (Marmaray), light-rail, cable car, ropeway and Metrobus (as of May 2021):

* In operation: 311.7 km / 284 stations
* Under construction: 113.9 km / 70 stations
* Planned: 100.3 km / 53 stations
* Sum: 523.7 km / 407 stations

Network map

See also

* Public transport in Istanbul
* Istanbul nostalgic tramways
* Sabiha Gökçen Airport
* Metrobus (Istanbul)
* Ferries in Istanbul
* Istanbul Airport
* Istanbul Tram
* Metro İstanbul

References

External links

Metro İstanbul – official website of Metro operator


Istanbul Metro System Map

Istanbul Metro Map on Google Maps with Geolocation

Istanbul Metro Map

Istanbul Metro Guide

{{coord missing, Turkey

Standard gauge railways in Turkey
Buildings and structures under construction in Turkey