M2 (Istanbul Metro)


The M2, officially referred to as the M2 Yenikapı–Hacıosman metro line, is a rapid transit line of the Istanbul Metro and the first heavy metro of Istanbul and Turkey. It is colored light green on the maps and route signs. The M2 operates between Hacıosman in southern Sarıyer to Yenikapı in south-central Fatih on the historic peninsula of Istanbul. Shuttle trains run from Sanayi to Seyrantepe to Rams Park. The M2 line has 16 stations, all but one underground, and a total length of. A daily ridership of about 500,000 makes it the busiest line of the Istanbul Metro system.
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History

Construction for a north–south metro line started on 19 August 1992 when the groundbreaking of the M2 took place. The original route was a wholly underground line between Taksim and 4. Levent. Construction of the tunnels took place in three separate areas; Taksim, Şişli and 4. Levent. These tunnels were connected to each other on 8 July 1994 and were completed on 30 April 1995. The line was completed in early 11 January 1999 and the first rolling stock were lowered into the tunnels. On 25 March 1999 the first test runs began and the line entered service on 16 September 2000 between Taksim and Levent. "4. Levent" was opened one month later on 24 October 2000.
On 15 October 2021, it was announced that İBB's free Wi-Fi service had started on rolling stock serving on the line. In addition, 384 USB charging ports were installed in 192 trains serving on the line.

Timeline

The following are events in the timeline of the M2 service:
  • 19 August 1992: Construction of the M2 begins.
  • 12 June 1994: Taksim - Şişli part is completed.
  • 8 July 1994: Şişli - 4.Levent part is completed.
  • 30 April 1995: The two tunnels are connected.
  • 11 January 1999: The first trainsets are used for test runs.
  • 16 September 2000: Taksim - 4.Levent portion is opened.
  • 31 January 2009: Taksim - Şişhane and 4.Levent - Atatürk Oto Sanayi extensions are opened.
  • 2 September 2010: A northern extension to Darüşşafaka is opened.
  • 11 November 2010: The branch to Seyrantepe is opened.
  • 29 April 2011: The northern extension to Hacıosman is opened.
  • 15 February 2014: With the completion of the Golden Horn Metro Bridge, M2 line is fully in service from Yenikapı to Hacıosman.

Route

The M2 starts at Hacıosman in southwestern Sarıyer. From there it travels under Büyükdere Avenue, a major north–south road in the city, through İstanbul's two major financial districts; Maslak and Levent. The line then heads slightly west just south of Levent through Şişli to historical Taksim Square. From there M2 heads through western Beyoğlu to Şişhane. It crosses the Golden Horn towards the Old City and terminates in Yenikapı, a transport hub connecting with M1 line and Marmaray..

Rolling stock

The M2 line in İstanbul uses both Hyundai Rotem and Alstom trains which operate with headways of 5 minutes on the line. The Alstom trains used on this line are derived in design from the S1 through S5 + S8 series used in Caracas Metro, though they have differences in internal furniture; because these trains also serve as the basis for the Hyundai Rotem trains, they're also part of the same family, along with the CAF trains used in M4.

Future extension

A future extension southwest of Yenikapı is planned, with five new stations at Kocamustafapaşa, Silivrikapı, Veliefendi, Zeytinburnu and Bakırköy. A northward extension from Hacıosman, with 3 new stations at Çayırbaşı, Büyükdere, and Sarıyer is also planned.