The Samsun Light Rail Transit System (Samsun Tramway) is a
light rail transit system located in
Samsun and
Atakum
Atakum is a central district in Samsun, Turkey. Its population was 210,082 as of 2020. Atakum is a largely middle class suburban district located to the west of the primary city of Samsun and further suburban Ondokuzmayıs. The city's population ex ...
, Turkey. The 36.5 km Samsun Tramway connects
Ondokuz Mayıs University to
Samsun Stadium. The system was constructed in three phases between 2010 and 2019. The tram line is the only urban rail system in the
Black Sea Region
The Black Sea Region ( tr, Karadeniz Bölgesi) is a geographical region of Turkey. The largest city in the region is Samsun. Other big cities are Trabzon, Ordu, Tokat, Giresun, Rize, Amasya and Sinop.
It is bordered by the Marmara Region to the ...
pending the construction of the
Trabzon Tram. The system carries 90,000 passengers daily and is one of the busiest tram systems in
Turkey.
History
In 2008,
Samsun Province governor
Yusuf Ziya Yılmaz announced the construction of a light rail transit line to be completed by 2010. The project was to include 21 stations and connect Samsun's central train station operated by
Turkish State Railways with the rectorate of
Ondokuz Mayıs University. This route was previously served by private and public bus and van operators but ridership figures were reviewed and led local and national officials to determine that construction of a light rail transit system connecting these destinations was warranted. The rapid growth of
Atakum
Atakum is a central district in Samsun, Turkey. Its population was 210,082 as of 2020. Atakum is a largely middle class suburban district located to the west of the primary city of Samsun and further suburban Ondokuzmayıs. The city's population ex ...
to the west of
Samsun City Center further warranted investment in a transit system capable of moving a high numbers of riders. Construction of the first phase of the Samsun Tram began in 2008 and completed in 2010 to much fanfare.
As a result of heavy ridership and the political popularity of the first phase of the Samsun Tram, a second phase was announced in 2013. Phase two of the project entailed the construction 15 additional stations between Samsun Central Train Station (Gar) and
Samsun Stadium home to the regional soccer club
Samsunspor. Construction of the second phase of the Tramway concluded on October 10, 2016. In additional to connecting
Samsun Stadium to the City Center, the tram also connected the large industrial park and suburbs of
Tekkeköy and left open the possibility of a future extension to
Samsun-Çarşamba Airport.
Shortly after the completion of Phase II of the Samsun Tram, a third phase of the project was announced. The third phase is the only portion of the project that goes above ground. The tram primarily operates at grad with the exception of overpasses that were built a particularly busy road crossings in the first two phases. The third phase of the tramway was built on the
Ondokuz Mayıs University campus and connects the Rectorate to the Residential Dormitories on the western edge of the campus. The third phase of the Samsun Tram was completed on July 5, 2019.
Future Extensions
A future extension to
Samsun-Çarşamba Airport is in the planning stages though make take the form of an electric bus depending on cost considerations.
Track
Two types of rail are used on the length of the Tramway. The primary track gauge for the first phase of the project is S49 which comprises 13.49 km of the route while 2.2 km is of Rİ60 grooved rail. The tram primarily runs at-grade with the exception of two overpasses and one 420 m long underground condition at
Ondokuz Mayıs University. There are 74 at-grade crossings which have been the source of frequent collisions with automobiles and pedestrians. The majority of at-grade crossings are in
Atakum
Atakum is a central district in Samsun, Turkey. Its population was 210,082 as of 2020. Atakum is a largely middle class suburban district located to the west of the primary city of Samsun and further suburban Ondokuzmayıs. The city's population ex ...
to the west of
Samsun. Despite the tendency for collisions, the tram is widely regarded as a successful and efficient project that has reduced traffic congestion in the region.
Stations
The project includes 43 stations. All stations offer safe and clearly identified at-grade pedestrian crossings. Five stations have pedestrian overpasses. Most stations are defined by simple at-grade platforms with fare collection machines and security staff. Shelters are provided at all stations in case of inclement weather. None of the system's stations are fully enclosed nor underground. All 43 stations are handicapped accessible. Fares are collected by turnstile ahead of boarding and stations are staffed with security guards to ensure fare payment. Fares are between 2.30 and 4.00 TL depending on the age of the rider.
The Samsun Tram connects several major destinations in the Samsun Region including:
Samsun Stadium,
Republic Square (Samsun)
Republic Square ( tr, Samsun Cumhuriyet Square) is a large public square located in Ilkadim district of Samsun, Turkey. It is one of the two largest and busiest public squares in the center of Samsun including Samsun Saathane Square. The square ...
,
Piazza Samsun,
Samsun Saathane Square
Saathane Square is a public square in Samsun's Ilkadim district and takes its name from the Samsun Clock Tower which is located in the center of the square. Along with Republic Square (Samsun), it is one of two important and historical squares ...
,
Samsun Clock Tower
Samsun Clock Tower is the tower that gives its name to Samsun Saathane Square located in Ilkadim district of Samsun.
History
Abdul Hamid II sent an instruction to the governors of the Ottoman Empire in 1886 ordering the erection of clock tower ...
,
Atakum
Atakum is a central district in Samsun, Turkey. Its population was 210,082 as of 2020. Atakum is a largely middle class suburban district located to the west of the primary city of Samsun and further suburban Ondokuzmayıs. The city's population ex ...
and
Ondokuz Mayıs University.
Rolling stock
The system is served by 16
AnsaldoBreda Sirio trams, each of which can carry 270 passengers.
In early 2013, additional trams were supplied by
CNR Tangshan. 8 Durmaray
Panorama
A panorama (formed from Greek πᾶν "all" + ὅραμα "view") is any wide-angle view or representation of a physical space, whether in painting, drawing, photography, film, seismic images, or 3D modeling. The word was originally coined in ...
trams were added between 2016 and 2017.
References
{{Local transport in Turkey
Samsun
Tram transport in Turkey
Samsun