08.08.2026 14:20
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that the Yerkoy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line, which is 53 percent complete, is targeted to be put into service in the second half of 2028. When the project is completed, the 7-hour train journey between Ankara and Kayseri will be reduced to 1 hour and 45 minutes, and the journey between Istanbul and Kayseri will be reduced to 5 hours.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu came to Kayseri as part of various visits. Uraloglu visited the Düver High-Speed Train Construction Site and examined the works on the Ankara-Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line on site.
Stating that transportation is a strategic area in terms of the security of trade, the continuity of production, the competitiveness of countries and the welfare of nations, Uraloglu said that transportation investments do not only mean shortening distances.
Drawing attention to global crises, tensions in the straits, climate change and fragilities in supply chains, Uraloglu said, "A corridor without alternatives means risk. Strong, versatile and resilient transportation networks mean independence and development."
"RAILWAYS ARE ONE OF THE MOST SUSTAINABLE LIFELINES"
Referring to the importance of railways in the transportation ecosystem, Uraloglu stated that rail is one of the environmentally friendly, economical, safe and sustainable transportation options.
Uraloglu stated that railways carry freight, passengers, production and trade simultaneously, reducing carbon emissions and logistics costs while connecting cities and countries.
NUMBER OF PROVINCES CONNECTED BY HIGH-SPEED TRAIN WILL INCREASE TO 27
Minister Uraloglu also announced Turkey's targets for expanding the high-speed train network, saying they aim to increase the number of provinces directly connected by high-speed train from 11 to 27 by 2028.
Stating that one of the important parts of this target is the 142-kilometer-long Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line, Uraloglu announced that they are building a new double-track, electrified and signaled railway suitable for a speed of 250 kilometers per hour.
5 STATIONS ON THE 142-KILOMETER LINE
There will be a total of 5 stations on the Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line: Yerköy, Şefaatli, Yenifakılı, Himmetdede and Kayseri.
Within the scope of the project, 22 tunnels with a total length of 20.5 kilometers and 27 railway bridges with a total length of 6,608 meters will be constructed.
The line, which will extend from Yerköy High-Speed Train Station to Kayseri, will be integrated with the Ankara-Sivas High-Speed Train Line upon completion. Thus, Kayseri will be directly connected to the high-speed train network.
ANKARA-KAYSERI TRAVEL TIME WILL DROP FROM 7 HOURS TO 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES
Stating that there will be a significant decrease in travel times upon the completion of the project, Uraloglu announced that the Ankara-Kayseri journey, which currently takes 7 hours on the conventional railway, will decrease to 1 hour 45 minutes.
Stating that transportation between Kayseri and Istanbul will also be possible in 5 hours by high-speed train, Uraloglu said the line will create a fast and economical transportation alternative.
53 PERCENT OF THE PROJECT COMPLETED
Minister Uraloglu also shared the latest status of the works on the High-Speed Train line, announcing that approximately 53 percent physical progress has been achieved across the project.
Uraloglu said, "In other words, we have completed more than half of the work. We are continuing our work on the remaining parts at full speed."
TARGET: SECOND HALF OF 2028
Uraloglu also gave a timeline for the completion of the project, stating that they aim to finish the Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line in the second half of 2028.
Uraloglu announced that the section extending to Himmetdede is planned to be completed within 2027, stating that some changes may occur in the schedule due to tunnel and bridge works, but they are working in line with the determined target.
5.5 MILLION PASSENGERS WILL BE CARRIED PER YEAR
Minister Uraloglu said the Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line will not only accelerate transportation between Ankara and Kayseri but will also activate a new development corridor passing through the heart of Anatolia.
When the line is put into operation, a capacity to carry 5.5 million passengers and 3 million tons of freight per year will be reached.
HIGH-SPEED TRAIN SUPPORT FOR ERCIYES AND KAYSERI TOURISM
Uraloglu stated that the high-speed train will also contribute to Kayseri's tourism potential.
Stating that Erciyes' ski tourism, the traces of Mimar Sinan and Kayseri's geographical values will reach more visitors with the new railway connection, Uraloglu said, "This line will carry Kayseri's centuries-old commercial spirit into the new century, into the speed of the Century of Türkiye."
LOGISTICS CENTER WITH A CAPACITY OF 1 MILLION 800 THOUSAND TONS
Also mentioning other transportation investments in Kayseri, Uraloglu said they are renewing and modernizing the city's railway infrastructure.
Reminding that they are constructing the Kayseri-Anafartalar-City Hospital-Mobilya Kent Tram Line, Uraloglu stated that they have also brought a logistics center to Kayseri, established on an area of 670 thousand square meters at the Boğazköprü location, with an annual transportation capacity of 1 million 800 thousand tons.
ANTALYA, KONYA AND CAPPADOCIA WILL BE CONNECTED TO KAYSERI
Minister Uraloglu announced that they are also working on a new project that will connect Turkey's important tourism centers with Kayseri and the high-speed railway network.
Stating that they aim to implement the Kayseri-Nevşehir-Aksaray-Konya-Antalya Railway Project, Uraloglu noted that it is planned to connect Antalya, Konya and the Cappadocia region to the high-speed railway network via Kayseri.
KAYSERI AIRPORT CAPACITY INCREASED TO 6 MILLION
Also touching upon aviation investments in Kayseri, Uraloglu said they have brought a new airport terminal building to the city.
Stating that the capacity of Kayseri Airport, which previously had an annual passenger capacity of 2.5 million, has been increased to 6 million passengers with the new terminal building, Uraloglu stated that the investment will serve the increasing tourism demand, especially in Erciyes and Cappadocia, as well as the region's growing trade volume.
"THIS LINE IS NOT JUST LAYING RAILS, IT IS EXTENDING WELFARE"
Emphasizing that the Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line is one of the important projects in Turkey's transportation vision, Minister Uraloglu concluded his words as follows: "The Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Line is a concrete expression of the Century of Türkiye's transportation vision. This line is not just laying rails; it is extending welfare, making life easier for our nation. When we finish our work, we will experience the pride of successfully completing another prestige project of our country. We will turn another big and important project from a dream into reality for our country."