The Ankara-İstanbul high-speed train line to cross the distance between Turkey’s two major cities in 3 hours 40 minutes opens today.
The 245-kilometer Ankara-Eskişehir piece of the 533 kilometers total Ankara-İstanbul high-speed train (YHT) line was opened in 2009.
To begin with, the Ankara-İstanbul YHT line will have nine stops at Polatlı, Eskişehir, Bozüyük, Bilecik, Pamukova, Sapanca, İzmit, Gebze and Pendik.
The line ending at Pendik district in Istanbul at the moment will be later expanded to reach Söğütlüçeşme station, also on the Asian side of Istanbul.
The line is planned to connect to the Marmaray rail transport project in Istanbul next year and to reach Halkalı district far on the European side.
12 trips a day
In the beginning, there will be 12 trips a day with six going one way and six back.
The trips will begin in Ankara at 6 am, and in İstanbul at 6:15 am.
419 passengers
The high-speed trains on the Ankara-İstanbul line will carry six wagons.
55 of the trains seats will be in business class, 354 in first class, 8 in the cafeteria, and 2 reserved for individuals with disabilities adding up to a capacity of 419 passengers in one go.
Four billion dollars
The part of the line between Köseköy-Gebze was built through an EU grant of 150 million Euros, while the line cost four billion dollars in total.
Ticket prices
The ticket prices of the YHT to go at a speed of 250 kilometers per hour between İstanbul and Ankara will begin at 70 liras.
The tickets will be of four different classes: economy without food, economy with food, business-without food and business-with food.
Ticket prices will vary depending on the day and time.
The official opening of the line will be held with an opening ceremony at 6:30 pm at İstanbul Pendik Train Station. (YY/PU)
