Samsun Tram
| Samsun Tramway | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Owner | Samsun Metropolitan Municipality |
| Locale | Samsun |
| Transit type | Light Rail |
| Number of lines | 1 |
| Number of stations | 43 |
| Daily ridership | 90,000 |
| Chief executive | Enver Sedat Tamgacı |
| Website | samulas.com.tr/hizmetler light-rail-system/ |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 2010 |
| Operator(s) | Samulaş |
| Number of vehicles | 29 |
| Train length | 32/40 m |
| Technical | |
| System length | 36.5 |
| Track gauge | 1435 mm |
| Average speed | 62 |
| Top speed | 70 |
The Samsun Light Rail Transit System (Samsun Tramway) is a light rail transit system located in Samsun and Atakum, Turkey. The 36.5 km (22.7 mi) Samsun Tramway connects Ondokuz Mayıs University to Samsun Stadium. The system was constructed in three phases between 2010 and 2019. The tram line is the only urban rail system in the Black Sea Region pending the construction of the Trabzon Tram. The system carries 90,000 passengers daily and is one of the busiest tram systems in Turkey.[1][2]
History
In 2008, Samsun Province governor Yusuf Ziya Yılmaz announced the construction of a light rail transit line to be completed by 2010. The project was to include 21 stations and connect Samsun's central train station operated by Turkish State Railways with the rectorate of Ondokuz Mayıs University. This route was previously served by private and public bus and van operators but ridership figures were reviewed and led local and national officials to determine that construction of a light rail transit system connecting these destinations was warranted. The rapid growth of Atakum to the west of Samsun City Center further warranted investment in a transit system capable of moving a high numbers of riders. Construction of the first phase of the Samsun Tram began in 2008 and completed in 2010 to much fanfare.
As a result of heavy ridership and the political popularity of the first phase of the Samsun Tram, a second phase was announced in 2013. Phase two of the project entailed the construction of 15 additional stations between Samsun Central Train Station (Gar) and Samsun Stadium, home to the regional soccer club Samsunspor. The first part of the second phase opened on August 26, 2016, from Gar to Balıkçı Barınağı,[3] and the second part from Balıkçı to Tekkeköy later opened on October 10, 2016.[4] In addition to connecting Samsun Stadium to the City Center, the tram also connected the large industrial park and the suburbs of Tekkeköy, and left open the possibility of a future extension to Samsun-Çarşamba Airport.
Shortly after the completion of Phase II of the Samsun Tram, a third phase of the project was announced. The third phase is the only portion of the project that goes above ground. The tram primarily operates at grade with the exception of overpasses that were built a particularly busy road crossings in the first two phases. The third phase of the tramway was built on the Ondokuz Mayıs University campus and connects the Rectorate to the Residential Dormitories on the western edge of the campus. The third phase of the Samsun Tram was completed on July 5, 2019.[5][6]
Future Extensions
A future extension to Samsun-Çarşamba Airport is in the planning stages though make take the form of an electric bus depending on cost considerations.[7]
Track
Two types of rail are used on the length of the Tramway. The primary track gauge for the first phase of the project is S49 which comprises 13.49 km (8.38 mi) of the route while 2.2 km (1.37 mi) is of Rİ60 grooved rail. The tram primarily runs at-grade with the exception of two overpasses and one 420 m (1,377 ft 11 in) long underground condition at Ondokuz Mayıs University.[8] There are 74 at-grade crossings which have been the source of frequent collisions with automobiles and pedestrians. The majority of at-grade crossings are in Atakum to the west of Samsun. Despite the tendency for collisions, the tram is widely regarded as a successful and efficient project that has reduced traffic congestion in the region.
Stations
The project includes 43 stations. All stations offer safe and clearly identified at-grade pedestrian crossings. Five stations have pedestrian overpasses. Most stations are defined by simple at-grade platforms with fare collection machines and security staff. Shelters are provided at all stations in case of inclement weather. None of the system's stations are fully enclosed nor underground. All 43 stations are handicapped accessible. Fares are collected by turnstile ahead of boarding and stations are staffed with security guards to ensure fare payment. Fares are between 2.30 and 4.00 TL depending on the age of the rider.
The Samsun Tram connects several major destinations in the Samsun Region including: Samsun Stadium, Republic Square (Samsun), Piazza Samsun, Samsun Saathane Square, Samsun Clock Tower, Atakum and Ondokuz Mayıs University.
| Number | Station | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OMÜ Yurtlar | Atakum |
| 2 | Eğitim Fakültesi | |
| 3 | Yaşam Merkezi | |
| 4 | Sağlık Bilimleri | |
| 5 | Diş Hekimliği | |
| 6 | Tıp Fakültesi | |
| 7 | OMÜ Lojmanlar | |
| 8 | OMÜ Rektörlük / Batı Garajı | |
| 9 | Körfez | |
| 10 | Pelitköy | |
| 11 | Kurupelit | |
| 12 | Yeni Mahalle | |
| 13 | Atakent | |
| 14 | Çobanlı | |
| 15 | Ömürevleri | |
| 16 | Türk-İş | |
| 17 | Mimar Sinan Mahallesi | |
| 18 | Atakum Belediyesi | |
| 19 | Denizevleri / Esenevler | |
| 20 | Karayolları | |
| 21 | Güzel Sanatlar | İlkadım |
| 22 | Baruthane / Kalkancı | |
| 23 | Fener | |
| 24 | Gençlik Parkı | |
| 25 | Liman | |
| 26 | Büyük Cami | |
| 27 | Cumhuriyet Meydanı | |
| 28 | Gar | |
| 29 | Kılıçdede | |
| 30 | Samsunspor | Canik |
| 31 | Belediye Evleri | |
| 32 | Mavi Işıklar | |
| 33 | Balıkçı Barınağı | Tekkeköy |
| 34 | Asarağaç | |
| 35 | Kirazlık | |
| 36 | Örnek Sanayi | |
| 37 | İlkadım Sanayi | |
| 38 | 19 Mayıs Sanayi | |
| 39 | Organize Sanayi | |
| 40 | Kerimbey | |
| 41 | Cumhuriyet | |
| 42 | Tekkeköy | |
| 43 | Stadyum |
Rolling stock
The system is served by 16 AnsaldoBreda (now Hitachi Rail Italy) Sirio trams, each of which can carry 270 passengers.[9]
In 2013-2014, five additional trams were supplied by CNR Tangshan.[10] 8 Durmazlar Panorama trams were also delivered between 2016 and 2017.[11][12]
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Tram interior
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Gar Station
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Samsun Stadium Station - a typical station condition
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Samsun Tram Overpass
References
- ^ "Samsun Raylı Sistem 10.10.2010 Saat 10.00'da Start Verdi". samsun.bel.tr. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Samsun Tramvay Saatleri Ücretleri ve Güzergah Haritası". RayHaber (in Turkish). 30 October 2019. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ Barrow, Keith (2016-08-29). "Samsun tram extension inaugurated". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ^ "Second phase of Samsun tram extension opens". Railway Gazette International. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- ^ Barrow, Keith (9 July 2019). "Samsun tram line reaches Ondokuz Mayis University". International Railway Journal.
- ^ "Urban transport news in brief". Railway Gazette International. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
The Samsun tram line has been extended northwest by 6 km from OMÜ Rektörlük / Batı Garajı to Yurtlar.
- ^ "Samsun raylı sistemi 'troleybüs' ile uzatılacak".
- ^ "Samsun´da OMÜ tramvay hattı için ilk kazma vuruldu". 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Trains of Turkey | Urban / Samsun". www.trainsofturkey.com. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ "Samsun tram flown from China to Turkey". Railway Gazette International. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- ^ "Samsun receives Durmazlar trams". Railway Gazette International. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- ^ Barrow, Keith (2016-10-27). "Samsun receives first Durmazlar tram". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-05.