M1 (İzmir Metro)

The M1, also known as the Kaymakamlık–Evka 3 Line (Turkish: Kaymakamlık–Evka 3 Hattı), is the only active line of the İzmir Metro in İzmir, Turkey. The 27 kilometres (17 mi) line runs from Kaymakamlık station in the west to Evka 3 station in the east, consisting of 24 stations. Construction of the first stage of line began in 1992 and was completed in 2000, consisting of 10 initial stations.

M1 Kaymakamlık–Evka 3 Line
A westbound train after departing Bölge station.
Overview
Native name	Kaymakamlık–Evka 3 Hattı
Status	In operation
Owner	İzmir Metropolitan Municipality
Locale	İzmir, Turkey
Termini	Kaymakamlık, Narlıdere (West) Evka 3, Bornova (East)
Stations	24
Service
Type	Light metro
System	İzmir Metro
Operator(s)	İzmir Metro A.Ş.
Depot(s)	Halkapınar depot
Rolling stock	182 45 ABB wagons (2-car 5-unit) 42 CSR wagons (2-car 5-unit) 95 CNR wagons CRRC (5 articulated car unit) [1]
Ridership	100 million (2019)[2]
History
Commenced	September 1992 (1992-09)
Opened	22 May 2000 (2000-05-22)
Completed	April 2000 (2000-04)
Technical
Line length	27[3] km (17 mi)
Number of tracks	Double track, drives on the right (with the exception of Halkapınar station, which is triple track)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge[4]
Minimum radius	125 metres (410 ft)[5]
Electrification	750V DC third rail, bottom contact[6]
Operating speed	80[6] km/h (50 mph)
Route map Legend Bornova Merkez Evka 3 Ege Üniversitesi Bornova Bölge Sanayi Stadyum Halkapınar Maintenance Facility ・ T2・ (Halkapınar) Halkapınar Hilal (Hilal) Basmane Çankaya T2 (Konak İskele) Konak M2 (Üçyol) Üçyol İzmirspor Hatay Göztepe Poligon T2 (Fahrettin Altay) Fahrettin Altay Balçova Çağdaş DEÜ Hastanesi Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi Narlıdere Şehitlik Kaymakamlık Pertev Bey Lojmanlar Limanreis Maltepe Anıt Güzelbahçe İskele Yalı Seferhisar Kavşağı Siteler Çamlıçay Zeytinalanı This diagram: view talk edit

Further extensions of the line since 2005 have been plagued by repeated construction delays and re-awarding of tenders. An eastern extension in 2012 and two western extensions in 2014 and 2024 added another two, five and seven stations to the line respectively. Plans exist for a further extension to Güzelbahçe in future.

All stations on the M1 are handicapped accessible. The line runs almost completely underground with the exception of six stations.

Construction

Bornova to Üçyol section (1992–2000)

The construction of the M1 started in September 1992 with its foundation being laid in December 1994.^[7][8] The 1.7 km (1.1 mi) Nenehatun tunnels (named after Nene Hatun) between Üçyol and Konak stations were constructed via the New Austrian tunnelling method (NATM),^[9] while the 2.8 km (1.7 mi) Ümmühan Ana tunnels (named after the mother of Süleyman Demirel) between Konak and Basmane stations were constructed via the earth pressure balance tunnelling method.^[10][11] The rolling stock was delivered in August 1996.^[8] The first 12 km (7.5 mi) section from Bornova to Üçyol stations was completed in April 2000. Consisting of 10 stations, it began service on 22 May 2000.^[8]

Üçyol to Fahrettin Altay section (2005–2014)

In March 2005, a tender was awarded for the Üçyol–Fahrettin Altay section, a 5.2 km (3.2 mi) extension to the west consisting of six new stations.^[12] The foundation of the extension was laid three months later and tunneling works commenced on 5 July 2005, with the extension slated to be completed in two years. However, when the contractor failed to fulfill their obligations, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality sent a cease and desist letter to the company on 14 February 2006, subsequently cancelling the tender in November 2006.^[12] A new tender was announced on 23 January 2007 with an aim complete the extension by 31 October 2008.^[13] The tender was cancelled on 13 August 2009 after the contractor requested a 15-month extension.^[13][14]

The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality issued a third tender in October 2009,^[15] but it was again cancelled by the Public Procurement Authority for unspecified reasons.^[12] The cancellation had occurred after a company's objection to the tender even though it had not been invited to the tender.^[16] Consequently, İzmir Metropolitan decided to complete the remaining construction using their own resources due to the possibility of a tunnel collapse if it were not concreted.^[12][17] The contractor then resumed work in February 2010^[18] after the cancellation was turned down by the administrative court.^[19]

On 18 June 2012, test runs began between İzmirspor and Hatay stations, opening to passengers service on 29 December 2012.^[20] Göztepe station entered service on 25 March 2014,^[21] with the last two stations on the extension, Poligon and Fahrettin Altay stations, opening their doors on 27 July 2014.^[22] The planned Güzelyalı station between these two stations was dropped from the project due to an underground stream.^[23]

Bornova to Bornova Merkez section (2007–present)

Work on the Bornova–Bornova Merkez extension on the M1's eastern axis started in 2007. However, the section between Evka 3 and Bornova Merkez stations was delayed after the contractor company refused to do construction drawings. Constructing the section would have risked building damage as it was discovered during excavations that the soil contained clay and sand.^[24][25] The construction was fully stopped in 2008 after the contractor could not finish the extension and requested an additional year, which was rejected.^[25] A new tender was issued in October 2009 to finish the remaining work. However, that tender was cancelled by the Public Procurement Authority.^[26]

A third tender was made in April 2010, but it was cancelled by the municipality after the court reverted the cancellation of the second tender. The municipality signed an agreement with the winner of the second tender but the agreement was reverted after the high court reversed the decision of lower court about the second tender. A fourth tender was issued in August 2010 and construction started in September.^[24] Test drives started on 20 March 2012 for the 2.6 km (1.6 mi) section to Evka 3. Evka 3 and Ege University stations began service on 30 March 2012.^[3]

Fahrettin Altay to Kaymakamlık section (2018–2024)

Works on the 7.2 km (4.5 mi) Fahrettin Altay–Kaymakamlık extension to the west began on 9 June 2018 at a cost of €287 million.^[27][28] There are seven stations built for the extension: Balçova, Çağdaş, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hastanesi, Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi, Narlıdere, Şehitlik, and Kaymakamlık.^[29] Two other stations that were originally planned to be built in the west direction, were removed from the project, as it was predicted that the number of passengers would be insufficient.^[30] The first six stations on the extension were completed on 24 February 2024, with the last station, Kaymakamlık, opening its doors on 4 March 2024.^[31][32]

Further extensions and plans

The line is planned to be extended to Bornova district in the east and Güzelbahçe in the west, with further extensions still under planning.^[33][34]

The M1 line will be further extended from Kaymakamlık to Güzelbahçe. This 13.6 km (8.5 mi) extension is planned to have another 11 stations.^[34][35]

Stations

The exterior of Stadyum metro station

The interior of Çankaya metro station

There are 24 stations on the M1 line, all with handicapped access.^[36] Most of the stations are underground with the following exceptions: Bölge, Halkapınar and Sanayi stations are at-grade; Hilal and Stadyum stations are on viaducts; and Bornova station is in a splitting tunnel.^[6] Each station has a platform length of 125 m (410 ft).^[6]

As of September 2020, all stations charge a standard fare (₺13) from standard İzmirim Kart owners for the first ride.^[37]

Links to the transportation network include: transfer to İZBAN at both Halkapınar and Hilal stations; to ESHOT and İZULAŞ [tr] buses via Bornova, Evka 3, Fahrettin Altay, Halkapınar, Konak and Üçyol stations; to İZDENİZ ships via Konak station; TCDD Taşımacılık trains via Basmane station; and to Konak Tram via Fahrettin Altay, Halkapınar and Konak.^[38]

No	Station	District	Transfer	Type	Notes
1	Zeytinalanı	Urla		Underground
2	Çamlıçay
3	Siteler	Güzelbahçe
4	Seferihisar Kavşağı
5	Yalı
6	Güzelbahçe İskele		・ (Güzelbahçe Pier)
7	Anıt
8	Maltepe
9	Limanreis	Narlıdere
10	Lojmanlar
11	Pertev Bey
↑↑ Project ↑↑
12	Kaymakamlık	Narlıdere		Underground	Narlıdere District Governor's Office, Narlıdere Nursing Home
13	100. Yıl Cumhuriyet Şehitlik				Narlıdere Martyrdom, Martyrdom Mosque, Narlıdere AKM, Narlıdere Municipality, Narlıdere Bus Interchange (Planned)
14	Narlıdere İtfaiye				Narlıdere Fire Station
15	Güzel Sanatlar				Dokuz Eylul University R&D Zone
16	Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hastanesi	Balçova			Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine
17	Çağdaş				Balçova Kipa AVM, Ege Park AVM, Ramada Encore İzmir, Asmaçatı AVM It is about 800 meters walking distance to Balçova Cable Car and 500 meters to İzmir University of Economics.
18	Balçova				Agora AVM, Ata Street, Media Markt, Flo and Ekol Medical Center are within walking distance.
19	Fahrettin Altay	Konak, Karabağlar & Balçova	T2 (Fahrettin Altay)・・		İstinyePark İzmir・Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center・Gürsel Aksel Stadium
20	Poligon	Konak & Karabağlar	・		Güzelyalı
21	Göztepe		・		Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Theology
22	Hatay		・
23	İzmirspor		・		İzmir Katip Celebi University Atatürk Training and Research Hospital Hatay Additional Service Building
24	Üçyol		M2 (Üçyol)・・		İzmirspor Facilities
25	Konak	Konak	T2 (Konak İskele)・・・ (Konak)		Konak Square, İzmir Clock Tower, Konak Mosque, Izmir Government Mansion (Izmir Governor's Office), Kemeraltı
26	Çankaya		T2 (Gazi Bulvarı)・・		Kemeraltı, Hisar Mosque, Kizlaragasi Inn, Yeni Kavaflar Bazaar, Izmir Agora
27	Basmane		(Basmane Gar, planned)・ (Basmane Railway Station)・ M3 (Basmane)・・		Basmane Train Station, Kültürpark
28	Hilal		(Hilal)	Viaduct
29	Halkapınar		・ (planned) T2・ (Halkapınar)・ M3 M5 (Halkapınar)	Level	Halkapınar Maintenance Facility --- İzmir Atatürk Stadium, 1st Industrial Zone, Site of Food Merchants, İzmir Halkapınar Sports Hall
30	Stadyum	Bornova	・	Viaduct	3rd Industrial Zone, Regional Courts of Appeals
31	Sanayi		・	Level	2nd Industrial Zone
32	Bölge		・		Yaşar University
33	Bornova		・	Below-grade	Ege University, Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital, Küçükpark
34	Ege Üniversitesi			Underground	Ege University, Bilal Saygılı Mosque
35	Evka 3		・		Ali Rıza Güven Mosque
↓↓ Construction suspended ↓↓
36	Bornova Merkez	Bornova	M4 (Bornova Merkez)・・	Underground	Bornova Republic Square, Bornova Government House

Trains

The M1 opened in 2000 with 45 wagons.^[39][40] In 2011, the wagon number was increased to 77 with 8 train sets from China consisting of 32 wagons.^[41] 10 more wagons were added in 2015, increasing the number to 87.^[39][42] 19 train sets consisting of 95 wagons were delivered in 2017, increasing the total to 182.^[43][44][45] Each train set consisted of three wagons at first; however, this number increased to four, then five.^[46] The trains work at an average of 40 km/h (25 mph) and are stored in Halkapınar Maintenance Facility.^[6]

Accidents

In 2015, the escalators at Üçyol station broke down, resulting with 14 injuries.^[47]

In 2016, a train collided with a container that fell onto the rails near Bölge station, injuring 10 people. The train tilted over as a result of the collision.^[48]

In 2019, a construction worker died after his arm was crushed during the construction in Narlıdere.^[49]

In 2023, a train parted and a few cars of it derailed as a result of a switch throwing while the vehicle was passing over it. ^[50]

References

1. "Yıllık Faaliyet Raporu" [Annual Activity Report] (in Turkish). İZMİR METRO A.Ş. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
2. "İzmir'de metro ve tramvay 2019'da 140 milyon yolcu taşıdı" [Metro and tram in İzmir carried 140 million passengers in 2019]. İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi (in Turkish). 10 January 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
3. "İzmir Metro A.Ş. Stratejik Planı 2020–2024" [Izmir Metro A.S. Strategic Plan 2020–2024] (PDF) (in Turkish). İzmir Metro A.Ş. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
4. Aykar, Emre. "Izmir Metro: Story of a Successful Engineering Project" (PDF). Japan Railway & Transport Review. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
5. Unlutepe, Ahmet; Tellioglu, Volkan; Arioglu, Basar. "Predicted and observed ground deformations due to TBM tunnel excavations of the Izmir Metro Project (Stage 1)". Retrieved 5 July 2021. ... In addition, this stretch of the alignment has the minimum curve radius (R=250m).
6. "2003 Yılı Faaliyet Raporu" [2003 Annual Report] (PDF) (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 2003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
7. "İzmir Metro Projesi Nenehatun Tünelindeki Geoteknik Çalışmalar ve Değerlendirilmesi" [Geotechnical Studies and Evaluation of Izmir Metro Project Nenehatun Tunnel] (PDF) (in Turkish). BUPİM. 14 October 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
8. "İzmir Metro A.Ş. Tanıtım Kitabı" [Izmir Metro A.S. Introduction Book] (PDF) (in Turkish). İzmir Metro A.Ş. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
9. "Yer altında büyük buluşma" [Underground meeting]. Milliyet (in Turkish). 2 September 1997. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
10. "İZMİR METRO A.Ş. STRATEJİK PLANI 2015 – 2019" [İZMİR METRO A.Ş. STRATEGIC PLAN 2015 – 2019] (in Turkish). Retrieved 30 April 2021.
11. "İzmir Metro Projesinde Yeni Avusturya Tünel Açma Metodu, Zemin Basıncı Dengeleme Tünel Metodu ve Aç-Kapa Tünel Uygulamaları" [New Austrian Tunneling Method, Ground Pressure Balancing Tunnel Method and Cut-Cover Tunnel Applications in Izmir Metro Project] (PDF) (in Turkish). Yapı Merkezi. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
12. "İzmirlinin bitmeyen metro çilesi". Evrensel. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
13. "Ekim'de Metro Atağı". www.izmirmetro.com.tr. İzmir Metro A.Ş. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
14. "Üçyol-Üçkuyular hattı bitmiyor" [Üçyol-Üçkuyular line does not end]. mimdap.org (in Turkish). Retrieved 30 April 2021.
15. "Metro 17 ayda bitecek" [Metro will be finished in 17 months] (in Turkish). Milliyet. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
16. "BAŞKAN KOCAOĞLU: "KİK KARARINI YARGIYA GÖTÜRÜYORUZ"" [PRESIDENT KOCAOĞLU: “WE TAKE JUDGMENT DECISION]. www.izmirmetro.com.tr (in Turkish). İZMİR METRO A.Ş. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
17. "METRO "7X24" MESAİ" [METRO "7X24" OFFICE]. www.izmirmetro.com.tr (in Turkish). İzmir Metro A.Ş. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
18. ""ULAŞTIRMA BAKANLIĞI'NA DEVİR YOK; METROYA BAŞLADIK, BİTİRİYORUZ"" [NO TRANSFER TO THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION; WE STARTED THE METRO, WE ARE FINISHING]. www.izmirmetro.com.tr (in Turkish). İZMİR METRO A.Ş. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
19. "HAKLILIĞIMIZ TESCİL EDİLDİ, MUTLUYUZ" [OUR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED, WE ARE HAPPY]. www.izmirmetro.com.tr (in Turkish). İZMİR METRO A.Ş. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
20. Utku, Bolulu (30 December 2012). "İzmir Metrosu İzmirspor ve Hatay istasyonu açıldı" [İzmir Metro İzmirspor and Hatay stations opened]. www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Hürriyet. DHA. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
21. "İzmir metrosu Göztepe'ye uzadı" [Izmir metro extended to Göztepe] (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
22. "Kocaoğlu'ndan Bayram Sürprizi: İzmir Metrosunun Son Etabı Açılıyor" [Bayram Surprise from Kocaoğlu: The Last Stage of Izmir Metro Opens] (in Turkish). DHA. 26 July 2014. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
23. "Güzelyalı İstasyonu iptal!." [Guzelyali Station is cancelled!]. Milliyet (in Turkish). 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
24. "BORNOVA METROSU'NDA MUTLU SON" [HAPPY END IN BORNOVA METRO]. www.izmirmetro.com.tr (in Turkish). İZMİR METRO A.Ş. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
25. "Büyükşehir tünel için düğmeye bastı" [Metropolitan pressed the button for the tunnel]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 8 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
26. "Metro ihalesi tamam" [Metro tender complete] (in Turkish). Yeni Asır. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
27. "Büyükşehir'den 'milyarlık' yatırım" ['Billion' investment from the Metropolitan] (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 10 June 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
28. "GÜNDEME BAKIŞ Narlıdere metrosuna girdi... 2022'nin Kasım'ında yola çıkıyor" [OVERVIEW He entered the Narlıdere metro... He is leaving in November 2022] (in Turkish). 25 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
29. "Narlıdere Metrosu'nu "Yeraltı Canavarı" Kazacak" ["Underground Monster" Will Dig Narlıdere Metro] (in Turkish). İZMİR METRO A.Ş. Retrieved 3 July 2021. 42 ay olarak planlanan yapım sürecinin sonunda Narlıdere metro hattı, Balçova, Çağdaş, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hastane, Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi (GSF), Narlıdere, Siteler ve Kaymakamlık olmak üzere 7 istasyondan oluşacak.
30. "Son durak Narlıdere Kaymakamlık". İzGazete. 21 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
31. "Soyer: 'Bundan sonra sathımız, tüm vatandır'". İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. 24 February 2024. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
32. "Narlıdere Metrosu'nda beklenen istasyon hizmete girdi". İz Gazete. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
33. Bolulu, Utku (8 March 2014). "Kocaoğlu İzmirlinin İzmir'ini anlattı" [Kocaoğlu strategy of 'Izmir of the people of Izmir']. Hürriyet (in Turkish). İzmir. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
34. "İşte İzmir'in yol haritası" [Here is the road map of Izmir] (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
35. "İzmir Ulaşım Ana Planı: Sonuçlar" [Izmir Transportation Master Plan: Results] (PDF) (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 28 December 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
36. "Londra, Hong Kong, Paris, Sydney.. Ve İzmir" [London, Hong Kong, Paris, Sydney.. And Izmir] (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
37. "Ücret Tarifesi" [Fee Schedule] (in Turkish). ESHOT. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
38. "İstasyonlar ve Aktarma Merkezleri" [Stations and Transfer Centers] (in Turkish). İzmir Metro A.Ş. Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
39. "İzmir rayında" [On the rail of Izmir]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 28 February 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
40. "16 yılda kat kat büyüdü" [It has grown exponentially in 16 years.] (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 21 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
41. "Yeni trenler İzmir'de" [Annual Activity Report] (in Turkish). İzmir Metro A.Ş. 16 November 2011. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
42. "İzmir metrosuna yeni vagonlar geliyor" [New train cars are coming to Izmir metro]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
43. "İzmir'de işler 'rayında'" [Things are 'on track' in İzmir] (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 11 February 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
44. "37 milyar dolarlık Çin devi, İzmir için üretiyor" [The $37 billion Chinese giant produces for Izmir] (in Turkish). İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi. 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
45. "Metroya 10 yeni araç geldi" [10 new vehicles arrived in the metro]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 10 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
46. "Fahrettin Altay açıldı Metro coştu!" [Fahrettin Altay opened: The metro was excited!]. Ege'de Son Söz (in Turkish). 7 September 2014. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
47. "İzmir Metro'da yürüyen merdiven kazası" [Escalator accident in Izmir Metro]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 27 February 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
48. "İzmir'de metro kazası: 10 yaralı" [Metro accident in Izmir: 10 injured]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 8 January 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
49. "Kaldırıldığı hastanede yapılan tüm müdahalelere rağmen kurtarılamadı" [Despite all the interventions in the hospital where he was taken, he could not be saved.]. Habertürk (in Turkish). 30 August 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
50. "İzmir'de metro raydan çıkıp duvara çarptı". www.ntv.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 22 February 2024.

External links

• Turkey portal
• Transportation portal

• İzmir Metro official siteArchived 23 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine
• İzmir Metropolitan Municipality official siteArchived 2 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine