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 nameKaymakamlık–Evka 3 Hattı
StatusIn operation
Ownerİzmir Metropolitan Municipality
Localeİzmir, Turkey
Termini
Stations24
Service
TypeLight metro
Systemİzmir Metro
Operator(s)İzmir Metro A.Ş.
Depot(s)Halkapınar depot
Rolling stock182
  • 45 ABB wagons (2-car 5-unit)
  • 42 CSR wagons (2-car 5-unit)
  • 95 CNR wagons
  • CRRC (5 articulated car unit)
[1]
Ridership100 million (2019)[2]
History
CommencedSeptember 1992 (1992-09)
Opened22 May 2000 (2000-05-22)
CompletedApril 2000 (2000-04)
Technical
Line length27[3] km (17 mi)
Number of tracksDouble track, drives on the right (with the exception of Halkapınar station, which is triple track)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge[4]
Minimum radius125 metres (410 ft)[5]
Electrification750V DC third rail, bottom contact[6]
Operating speed80[6] km/h (50 mph)
Route map

Bornova Merkez
Evka 3
Ege Üniversitesi
Bornova
Bölge
Sanayi
Stadyum
Halkapınar Maintenance Facility
İZBANLine T2 T2ESHOT (Halkapınar)
Halkapınar
Hilal
İZBAN (Hilal)
Basmane
Çankaya
Line T2 T2 (Konak İskele)
Konak
İzmir Metro M2 (Üçyol)
Üçyol
İzmirspor
Hatay
Göztepe
Poligon
Line T2 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

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

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Bornova to Üçyol section (1992–2000)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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 CenterGürsel 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

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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

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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

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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e "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. ^ a b c "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.
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  13. ^ a b "Ekim'de Metro Atağı". www.izmirmetro.com.tr. İzmir Metro A.Ş. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
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  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.
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  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.
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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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.
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  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.
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  47. ^ "İzmir Metro'da yürüyen merdiven kazası" [Escalator accident in Izmir Metro]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). 27 February 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
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  50. ^ "İzmir'de metro raydan çıkıp duvara çarptı". www.ntv.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 22 February 2024.
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