The total length of Türkiye's operational urban rail network has reached 1,054.7 kilometres. According to figures released by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure on 7 October 2026, the ministry has directly completed and opened 452 kilometres of lines, while construction continues on another 220.85 kilometres across nine provinces.
Operational network reaches 1,054.7 kilometres
The ministry's figures show that Türkiye's operational urban rail network measured 281 kilometres in 2002 and reached 1,054.7 kilometres in 2026. The official statement described this as a 270% increase. The numbers cover the long-term expansion of metro, tram and other urban rail infrastructure across the country.
The nationwide total of 1,054.7 kilometres and the 452 kilometres delivered by the ministry are different indicators. The first represents the entire operational urban rail network in Türkiye, while the second covers projects directly implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
Ministry-built lines record 3.25 billion journeys
The ministry said the 452 kilometres of lines it completed have served a cumulative 3.25 billion passenger journeys. This should not be interpreted as 3.25 billion unique people. Trips made by the same passenger on different days or lines are counted separately in the cumulative total.
The official release's headline refers to “3.5 billion people,” while the detailed body text provides a figure of 3.25 billion journeys. This report therefore uses the more precise figure contained in the detailed statement and avoids presenting repeat journeys as individual users.
Construction continues on 220.85 kilometres
The largest sections under construction are 54.2 kilometres in Konya, 49.65 kilometres in Kocaeli and 48 kilometres in Ankara. They are followed by 16.2 kilometres in Trabzon, 15.2 kilometres in Sakarya, 13.3 kilometres in Samsun, 10.8 kilometres in Istanbul, 8.5 kilometres in Afyonkarahisar and 5 kilometres in Bursa.
Together, the projects across the nine provinces total 220.85 kilometres. These are lines under construction and are not necessarily scheduled to open at the same time. The ministry's aggregate release did not provide project-by-project commissioning dates, contract values or current completion percentages.
Nationwide network could approach 1,275 kilometres
Once the current projects are completed, the ministry expects the total length of urban rail it has directly delivered to rise from 452 kilometres to 673 kilometres. Türkiye's overall operational network is projected to reach approximately 1,275 kilometres.
This is a forward-looking figure dependent on the completion of ongoing works, not a measure of the network already in service. Construction schedules, testing, safety certification and possible project revisions will affect when the projected total is reached.
Another 188 kilometres remain at the planning stage
The ministry also said feasibility and study work is under way for approximately 188 kilometres of additional lines in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Konya, Erzurum, Erzincan, Van and Trabzon. These proposed routes are separate from the 220.85 kilometres currently under construction.
Feasibility and study work evaluates routing, passenger demand, cost, engineering requirements and environmental impact. Completing those studies does not mean every project will automatically enter procurement or construction at the same time. Separate investment and implementation decisions will still be required.
What should be watched next?
The main indicators to follow will be construction progress in the nine provinces, confirmed commissioning dates and investment decisions for the additional 188 kilometres at the planning stage. Regular, line-level passenger statistics would also make it easier to assess how newly opened routes affect public transport use and whether demand assumptions are being met.
The latest announcement provides a national snapshot of physical network size and the scale of work in progress. It does not include total project costs, daily ridership for individual lines, fare data or detailed opening calendars. Those figures will need to be checked through project-specific official announcements as construction advances.
