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	2016
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
System map Stadyum Tekkeköy Cumhiyet Kerimbey Organize Sanayi 19 Mayıs Sanayi İlkadım Sanayi Örnek Sanayi Kirazlık Asarağaç Balıkçı Barınağı Tekkeköy Mavi Işıklar Belediye Evleri Samsunspor Canik Kılıçdede Train Station Republic Square Büyük Cami Port Youth Park Fener Baruthane Güzel Sanatlar Kürtün River Depot Ankara Road Karayolları Denizevleri Atakum Belediyesi Mimar Sinan Mahallesi Türk-iş Ömürevleri Çobanlı Atakent Yeni Mahalle Kurupelit Pelitköy Körfez Rektörlük/Batı Garajı OMÜ Lojmanlar Tıp Fakültesi Diş Hekimliği Sağlık Bilimleri Yaşam Merkezi Eğitim Fakültesi OMÜ Yurtlar Atakum

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.

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 15 additional stations between Samsun Central Train Station (Gar) and Samsun Stadium home to the regional soccer club Samsunspor. Construction of the second phase of the Tramway concluded on October 10, 2016. In additional to connecting Samsun Stadium to the City Center, the tram also connected the large industrial park and 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 grad 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.

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.

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. 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.

Name	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 Sirio trams, each of which can carry 270 passengers.

In early 2013, additional trams were supplied by CNR Tangshan. 8 Durmaray Panorama trams were added between 2016 and 2017.

• 
  Tram interior
• 
  Gara Station
• 
  Samsun Stadium Station - a typical station condition
• 
  Samsun Tram Overpass