Istanbul Metro


The Istanbul Metro is a rapid transit railway network that serves the city of Istanbul, Turkey. It is operated by Metro Istanbul, a public enterprise, controlled by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The oldest section of the metro is M1 line, which opened in 1989; it now includes 100 stations in service, with 64 more under construction.
The system consists of six lines named M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and the M6 Mini-Metro. More lines are under construction or planned: M8 will be on the Asian side, while M7, M9 will be on the European side.
Istanbul Metro is connected with Marmaray and F1 Funicular underground systems and T1 modern tram ground system.

History

The oldest underground urban rail line in Istanbul is the Tünel, which entered service on January 17, 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 January 10, 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". 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, began on September 11, 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 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.
entered service in 2014.
The first section between Taksim and 4. Levent entered service, after some delays, on September 16, 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 January 30, 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 January 30, 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 January 30, 2009. On September 2, 2010 the northern 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, Taksim - 4. Levent, and 4. Levent - Haciosman 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 August 17, 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 a.m. to 00.00 a.m. every 6–10 minutes. M2 Yenikapı - Hacıosman operates from 06:00 a.m. to 00.00 a.m. line During peak-hours the intervals reduce to 3 minutes. There is a flat fare – 3.50 TL with Istanbulkart only, paid in tokens. The Marmaray fare is 7.75TL, but it refunds a portion of it depending on the number of stops you traveled through. The Metrobüs works in a similar way and the fare is 3.85TL with refunds. The refunds can be collected from the refund machines that can be found on each station. All means of transport provide discount for interchanges except Metrobüs. Akbil tickets/cards are also valid, which is the most popular method for long distance traveling. The Akbil ticket 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

In August 2019, the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu, announced that most lines of the Istanbul are going to provide 24 hours service. As per 31 August, the Istanbul metro provide 24 hours service at weekends and public holidays. M1A Yenikapi-Ataturk Airport, M1B Yenikapi-Kirazli, M2 Yenikapi-Haciosman, M4 Kadikoy-Tavsantepe, M5 Uskudar-Cekmekoy and M6 Levent-Bogazici University/Hisarustu.

Lines

This table lists the metro lines currently in service on the Istanbul Metro. An [|additional five lines] are under-construction or planned.

Stations

The Istanbul Metro system has a total of 89 stations in operation with 50 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 89 operating stations of the Istanbul Metro,
Most stations have a mezzanine directly below street level, which allow 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 centers. 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, passenger may use ticket vending machines or manned 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 and M4 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 line 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 glass barriers, with doors that open only when a train is in the station. 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. These stations are Otogar on the M1 line, Yenikapı and Sanayi on the M2 line, Olimpiyat on the M3 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.
LineRouteGaugeVoltageConductor systemNotes
Yenikapı ↔ Atatürk Airport / Kirazlı750 V DCOverhead line
Yenikapı ↔ Hacıosman750 V DCThird rail
Kirazlı ↔ Metrokent–Olimpiyat1,500 V DCOverhead line
Kadıköy ↔ Tavşantepe1,500 V DCOverhead line
Üsküdar ↔ Çekmeköy1,500 V DCOverhead line
Levent ↔ Boğaziçi Üniversitesi/Hisarüstü750 V DCThird railLine branching from
Kabataş ↔ Mahmutbey1,500 V DCOverhead lineUnder construction
Bostancı ↔ Dudullu1,500 V DCOverhead lineUnder construction
Ataköy ↔ Olimpiyat1,500 V DCOverhead lineUnder construction
Pendik Çarşı ↔ Sabiha Gökçen Airport1,500 V DCOverhead lineUnder construction
Gayrettepe ↔ Istanbul Airport1,500 V DCOverhead lineUnder construction
Göztepe ↔ Ümraniye1,500 V DCOverhead lineUnder construction
Hastane ↔ Yenidoğan1,500 V DCOverhead lineUnder construction

Alignment and interchanges

The lines have no connection between them. Apart from the Haliç station on the M2 line and about half of the M1 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, 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.

Rolling stock

Although line M1 is a metro line, its rolling stock—in use since 1989—is made up of typical ABB light rail vehicles. These are partly the same as those used on the T4 tramway line.
The first Istanbul full metro rolling stocks, which entered service on September 16, 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 January 30, 2009, the first 8 trains built by Eurotem 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.
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's goal of expanding the size of the city's rail transportation network to by 2030, the Istanbul Metro has several lines that, as of 2018, 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 the Istanbul's two coastal railways with metro lines.
The following metro lines are under construction:
Construction of the following metro lines are planned or on hold:
LineRouteLengthStationsNotes
Kirazlı ↔ Halkalı9.70 km 9 Line on hold.
Yenikapı ↔ Sefaköy14 km 11 Line in the tender phase.
Başakşehir ↔ Kayaşehir6.20 km 5 Line on hold.
Mahmutbey ↔ Esenyurt18.50 km 12 Line on hold.
Pendik Sahil ↔ Kaynarca Merkez5.10 km 2 Line on hold.
Hastane ↔ Yenidoğan6.90 km 6 Line on hold.

European side

; M3 metro line extension : Bakırköy–Kirazlı metro line. The 9 km extension project will integrate the line with Marmaray in its Özgürlük Meydanı Station, and ido ferry station with Bakrköy İdo station.
; M7 metro line :The M7 Kabataş-Mahmutbey metro line is under construction. On December 20, 2013, the line was commissioned to Kalyon Group for construction. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on February 9, 2014. The line will be long with 19 stations, and is expected to go into service in May 2020.
; M9 metro line : M9 Ataköy-İkitelli:
  1. Ataköy
  2. Yenibosna
  3. Çobançeşme
  4. Kuyumcukent
  5. Doğu Sanayi
  6. Mimar Sinan Avenue
  7. Evren District
  8. İkitelli Junction
  9. Mehmet Akif
  10. Bahariye
  11. MASKO
  12. İkitelli Sanayi
;Istanbul Airport metro line :The Gayrettepe-Tayakadın metro line is under construction tender in 2016. The new airport will be connected with a metro system via a line starting from Gayrettepe station, with a total length of 33 km that will only be a 26-minute ride. A partial opening is expected in the second half of 2020, but it does not seem to be realistic.

Asian side

The Üsküdar–Beykoz metro line will run parallel to the Bosporus shoreline.
;M4 metro line : M4 Kadıköy–Tavşantepe is being extended, and will eventually connect Sabiha Gökçen International Airport:
  1. Hastane
  2. Şeyhli
  3. Kurtköy
  4. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
;M8 metro line : M8 Bostancı-Dudullu:
  1. Bostancı İDO
  2. Suadiye
  3. Upper Bostancı
  4. Kozyatağı
  5. Küçükbakkalköy
  6. İçerenköy
  7. Kayışdağı
  8. Türkiş Blocks
  9. İMES
  10. MODOKO
  11. Dudullu
  12. Upper Dudullu
  13. Depot
; Göztepe-Ataşehir-Ümraniye line
The line will connect the underserved Ataşehir distirct with the regional centres of İstanbul, and integrate the district into the İstanbul rapid rail system.
  1. Göztepe 60. Yıl Parkı
  2. Göztepe
  3. Sahrayı Cedit
  4. Yeni Sahra
  5. Ataşehir
  6. Finans Merkezi
  7. Soyak Yenişehir
  8. Ataken
  9. Ümraniye Çarşı
  10. Hastane
  11. Kazım Karabekir

    Network map