BSTDB provided a long-term loan of EUR 50 million to Izmir Metropolitan Municipality for financing the construction of a 7.2 km metro line with seven underground metro stations, the Fahrettin Altay-Narlidere-Kaymakamlik metro line.

With a growing population of over four million people and a booming tourism industry, Izmir, located on Tűrkiye’s Aegean coast, is in ever-growing need of better public transport to provide a viable alternative to polluting car travel on the city’s congested roads.

The Fahrettin Altay-Narlidere-Kaymakamlik metro line will improve the connection between a university campus, a hospital and retail areas. The project will extend the existing 19 km Evka 3-Fahrettin Altay line and will link up with bus, suburban rail and tram networks. The metro project is an important part of Izmir’s 250 km rail system and will expand city’s transport network and hence improve the quality of urban travel for the local residents and tourists.

The Izmir Municipality will implement and finance the project, which has a total cost of EUR 168 million and the Izmir Metro Company, fully owned by the municipality, will operate the metro line. The project is co-financed with the EBRD.