Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu attended the delivery ceremony of the first domestic driverless metro vehicle in Sincan Organised Industrial Zone (OSB). Minister Uraloğlu stated that they prioritise the localisation rate in the projects implemented and said, "We consider the future of our country under 3 main headings: domestic production, high technology and global brand. At this point, our driverless metro vehicle, specially designed for the Gebze OSB-Darıca Coast line, has become one of the best examples and products of our national technology vision. I would like to thank once again the valuable managers, engineers, workers, technicians, technicians and suppliers of our company, which has brought our first domestic and national metro vehicle to Turkey."

'TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED'

Noting that they support domestic production in projects with structural reforms and legal regulations, Minister Uraloğlu said, "The manufacturing and factory tests of our first set of 28 vehicles, each consisting of 4 vehicles and to be completed in 7 sets, have been completed. We are now excited and proud to take them out of the factory and send them to the field. We plan to take delivery of the remaining 6 sets in 2 sets each from October until the end of 2023. With a service speed of 80 kilometres, a passenger capacity of 1476 and a length of 88 metres, our driverless vehicle has been manufactured with a 63 percent local content rate. The technical know-how of our country has once again been demonstrated by carrying out the design, engineering and project management works entirely with domestic facilities. Many components such as Bogi, passenger information, announcement, signalling, lighting, air conditioning units and TV systems were produced with domestic facilities."

'WE PRODUCE MAIN AND CRITICAL PRODUCTS OURSELVES'

Stating that the signalling system developed with domestic facilities was used for the first time in the Kağıthane-İstanbul Airport metro line, Minister Uraloğlu said, "With the experience we have gained here, we have now entered a new era in metro construction. From now on, every process of our metro lines, from the construction phase to the electrification and signalling phase, will be the product of our own engineering, national and domestic. From now on, train signalling and interface works will also be carried out with domestic facilities. We have transformed Türkiye Raylı Sistem Araçları Sanayii A.Ş. into the largest manufacturer of rail system vehicles in the Middle East. We produce main and critical products such as new generation locomotives, diesel and electric train sets and engines, passenger and freight wagons, train control management systems at international standards. Our national electric train sets, which can also operate in European Union countries, are proof of the level of development of our railway industry."

'WE ARE IN THE TOP CLASS AMONG RAILWAY SYSTEM MANUFACTURERS'

Stating that the first national electric train set was put into service in April, Uraloğlu said, "Our design work for a national electric high-speed train with an operating speed of 225 kilometres continues. We aim to complete our design work in October and start the processes for prototype production immediately afterwards. With the completion of prototype production in 2024, we plan to produce a total of 8 sets in 2025. We are also working on the production of national suburban train set prototype vehicles. We are in the top class among rail system manufacturers. We will now use vehicles with domestic electrical systems and batteries."

Minister Uraloğlu then examined the domestic driverless metro vehicle that will be put into service on the Gebze OSB-Darıca Coast metro line.