Türkiye: A joint venture of the operator Metro Istanbul and the Istanbul Rail System Department is implementing the relevant project. The first TRAM34 LRV has already rolled out of the Adapazari plant and is currently undergoing static testing. The assembly of several other cars is underway.
The two-section high-floor TRAM34 can operate on both tram and light metro lines. The 25 m vehicle is designed for a speed of 80 km/h and has a capacity of 216 passengers. With an axle load of no more than 11 tf, the tram is reported to pass curves with a radius of up to 30 m and gradients of 60‰. The vehicles are also able to run in multiple.
The TRAM34 project was launched in 2023. The manufacturer indicates that the new vehicle is fully compliant with the international standards. It is designed by local engineers, with the intellectual and industrial property rights owned by Metro Istanbul. With an announced localisation level of 61%, some components are imported. Thus, the tram has traction motors from Austria’s TSA and reduction drives from Germany’s Voith.
Bogie of the TRAM34. Source: Harun Ersoy/LinkedIn
Istanbul’s first order includes 34 trams worth €80 mln (€2.3 mln per unit), which is reportedly 30% cheaper than similar LRVs produced abroad. The new trams were scheduled for delivery in November 2024. However, the terms have been postponed to August of this year, when the rolling stock is planned to arrive at the Esenler depot for testing. In December, the TRAM34 is due to enter operation on line T4 in Istanbul, while the whole batch will be completed by late 2027.
It is worth mentioning that there are two other tram manufacturers in Türkiye, Bozankaya and Durmazlar. Both companies produce rolling stock not only for the domestic market but also for European countries.
