Turkey aims to focus on high-speed train service in 2010
Turkish State Railways (TCDD) head Suleyman Karaman has announced that the directorate will work to improve the country’s high-speed train services in 2010 with plans to invest around USD 3.5 billion next year.
“Turkey ranks eighth in railway technology worldwide and sixth in Europe. The TCDD will focus on high-speed trains in the new year,” Karaman noted. Turkey launched the country’s first high-speed train service between the Turkish capital province of Ankara and the Central Anatolian province of Eskisehir on March, 2009. TCDD is working to extend this line from Ankara to Konya in the south and from Eskisehir to Istanbul in the west. The high-speed trains features many luxuries, including entertainment screens for every seat that play movies and display the current position and speed of the train. Spacious seats offer plenty of room during the smooth ride. The train can reach speeds of 260 kilometers per hour and will considerably reduce hours-long trips.
He further said that work on the high-speed train line between Ankara and Ä°stanbul is ongoing, as is work on the line between Ä°stanbul and EskiÅŸehir and this line will be operational in 2012 or 2013. He added that they will finish the line between Ankara and Konya in 2010 and Sivas project is continuing at the maximum pace. He also stated that they will renovate the country’s railway lines in 2010. These rail developments will transform thousands of journeys, pushing up prices in existing commuter locations and creating new property hotspots along the way.
It is generally believed that improved rail services are unlikely to have as great and impact as new low-cost flights to previously little-known regions of the country, he nevertheless expressed his confidence that prices will rise, particularly in popular holiday destinations.The local market is picking up, being occupied now with the long summer holidays and new measures are now taking effect which leaves the market is wide open for overseas buyers to march in and grab something special in 2010.