The scope, route, stops, statistics and history of Izmir suburban train (Izban):
Project overview
Owner: Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and TCDD
Commission date: 30 Aug 2010 (Halkapınar-Cumaovası), Jan 2011 (Aliağa-Halkapınar), Feb 2016 (Cumaovası-Tepeköy), Sep 2017 (Tepeköy-Selçuk)
Phases
- Aliağa-Cumaovası: 80 km. The existing line was electrified and signalized. The first section Izban service started.
- Cumaovası-Tepeköy: 30 km. The existing line was electrified and signalized. Izban service started.
- Tepeköy-Selçuk: 26 km. The existing line is electrified and signalized. Izban service started.
- Aliağa-Bergama: 49 km. The new line going to be constructed for Çandarlı Port will be extended to Bergama for Izban.
Cover Photo: Onur Uysal ©
What has been achieved with the IZBAN system is impressive, but the system is plagued by a problem common to many urban systems: long journeys (Aliağı to Alsancak, for example) are tedious with the many stops. This reminds me of what it is like travelling from Heathrow Airport to central London on the Piccadilly Line. There needs to be consideration for the provision of express/limited stop services and this will certainly be necessary to encourage tourists to use the IZBAN for places such as Selçuk and Bergama. The IZBAN is also a way to access Foca (combined with ESHOT bus services) but would be more attractive with an express service.