The first phase of the Turkey's first fully automated subway system became operational on Friday in the Asian side of Istanbul with an opening ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Mevlüt Uysal, Daily Sabah reports.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the driverless metro, Erdoğan highlighted the aim to building a transportation network that operates independently of vehicle traffic in Istanbul. With the operation of Üsküdar-Ümraniye driverless metro, the total length of subway lines in Istanbul has reached 167 kilometers. By 2018, Istanbul will have a 355-kilometers-long metro network, Erdoğan informed.
After his speech in Üsküdar, Erdoğan, accompanied by PM Yıldırım and other high ranking officials, went for an inaugural spin, making the first journey to Ümraniye.
