The first set of 12 HST sets is on way to Turkey.

The first high speed train set of 12-high-speed-train-sets-order of TCDD Tasimacilik where Siemens was awarded in early 2017 is expected to reach Turkey very soon.

There are 6 more Velaro TR sets and 1 Velaro set in Turkey. When all of the order is delivered the number of Siemens HST sets will reach to 19, total HST sets will reach to 31.

Each new train set has 45 business class seat, 3 business class compartments each having 4 seats,  424 economy class seats and space for wheel chairs. Total passenger capacity of the train is 483. The restaurant cars in new sets have modern look with 33 seat capacity.

As all sets started operation, daily departures is planned to increase from 44 to 76, annual ridership from 8 million to 14 million.

HSTs meet a huge demand and generally sold out in Turkey. On the other hand, the biggest demand is in Istanbul-Ankara route where partially conventional line is being used and Siemens sets are not operated on this line until now.

The new sets are expected to be used mainly on new lines, Ankara-Sivas and Ankara-Izmir. Engineering works continue on Ankara-Sivas HST line. The line was announced to be completed in 2020, but commercial service between Ankara and Sivas is more likely to start in 2021 . We need to wait more for Ankara-Izmir HST line.

Cover photo: Norbert Tilai ©