Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that Türkiye's domestically developed National Electric High-Speed Train will be placed on the rails in 2026 to commence testing, marking a significant milestone in the country's push for independent rail technology.

The minister revealed plans to produce a total of 15 trainsets, including one prototype, between 2026 and 2028. With 31 high-speed trainsets currently operating on Türkiye's Yüksek Hızlı Tren (YHT) lines, the new domestic sets will represent nearly half of the fleet once completed.

"We are nearing the final stages of interior outfitting, and the train is almost ready," Uraloğlu stated. "We will lower our National Electric High-Speed Train onto the rails in 2026 and begin the testing process."

Each trainset will consist of eight aluminum-bodied cars with a total passenger capacity of 577. Designed for a maximum speed of 225 km/h, the trains prioritize accessibility and comfort, featuring two dedicated compartments for passengers with disabilities and elevators enabling wheelchair users to board and alight directly from the platform.oryxspioenkop.com

Advanced safety and convenience systems will include a train control and monitoring system, automatic train stop mechanism, electromechanical passenger doors, fully automatic climate control, fire detection, audio-visual passenger information displays, and onboard cameras.

Uraloğlu emphasized the project's role in meeting current and future demands through high comfort and innovation. "Considering our current 31 operating sets, we will have produced nearly half as many nationally manufactured trains," he added.

The initiative is viewed as a key step toward bolstering Türkiye's domestic rail capabilities and decreasing dependence on imported high-speed train systems. (ILKHA)