Turkey’s transport infrastructure investment agency AYGM has awarded a TL33.3bn contract to a joint venture of construction groups Kalyon and Makyol for the first phase of the Trabzon light rail project, according to railwaygazette.com.

The contract covers construction works as well as the installation and commissioning of all electromechanical systems. There were seven other bids for the contract.

Main works are expected to start this year, with opening planned for 2029-30.

Phase 1 will run 16.5 km from a motorway interchange in the west to the airport in the east, passing via the main football stadium, hospital, Karadeniz University and the city centre. There will be 16 stops, including eight underground, which will have 70 m long platforms.

The route includes 13 km of NATM tunnel, 1.1 km of cut-and-cover tunnel and 658 m of viaducts. The contract also includes construction of the maintenance depot.

The line is to be operated by a fleet of nine two-car trainsets. It is expected to carry around 180 000 passengers per day, with services running at 5.5 minute intervals.

The light rail project was originally developed by Trabzon Municipality, and later transferred to the national AYGM agency which awarded the contract for a feasibility study to Yuksel Proje in 2024.

It was subsequently included in Turkey’s 2026 investment programme, with a budget of TL43.3bn.

Phase 2 would see the line extended to around 32 km with 31 stops.