Thales technology is key in the Ankara-Yerköy section connecting the capital with Sivas on the high-speed network, recently inaugurated. The company provided signalling solutions for 155 km with three interlockings, centralized traffic control (CTC) and updates in the systems in Baskent Ray, as well as ETCS L1 and temporal speed restriction systems in the Kirikkale-Yerköy section.

With this new commissioning, the Turkish rail network increases its length to 13.896km. At the same time, it is also a part of the highspeed network with a current length of 2.228 km.

The rail project has significantly reduced the track-distance between Ankara and Sivas from 603 km to 405 km. The connection of Kırıkkale, Yozgat and Sivas stations to the highspeed network will benefit 1.4 million citizens. This line will serve travelers from cities including Konya, Eskişehir, and Istanbul.

The Ankara-Sivas travel time, which until recently was 7 hours, with the Ankara-Yerköy-Sivas highspeed train line, is reduced to 2 hours with the commissioning of the new line.

Technology for the suburban network of Gaziray
Thales's railway signalling technology has also contributed to the modernisation of the suburban network for the Gaziray urban area. Since its inauguration last November, three suburban trains and one regional train have been running on the line using the centralised traffic control (CTC) and the Thales signalling system.

The project to improve the former single-track line began in 2011. The section now consists of four tracks, fully electrified and signalled, and without level crossings. It also includes a 5 km underground route through the city centre.

In addition to the Gaziray suburban works, other adaptations have been made for the future high-speed Mersin-Adana-Gaziantep line, which is scheduled for completion in early 2025. Two separate high-speed tracks, totalling 112 km of track, have been installed along the 25.5 km route. Thales is currently testing the ERTMS Level 1 system with the line manager, TCDD. Thales is also responsible for implementing the ERTMS Level 2 system for the same line.

Gaziray is Türkiye's fourth urban rail system, with a 25.5-kilometre double-track route and 16 stations. Trains leave every five minutes, an estimated 250,000 daily travellers will be able to travel from the outskirts of Gaziantep to the city centre in 30 minutes at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Services for Sincan -Kosekoy Line Section of Ankara – Istanbul High Speed Train Line
Thales has the responsibility of the maintenance for the highspeed train line signaling, communication, GSM-R (Global System for Mobile communications – Railways) and CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) systems and maintenance works between Sincan-Kosekoy Line section of Ankara – Istanbul high-speed line.

Thales has been maintaining the Sincan-Eskişehir and Eskişehir-Kosekoy parts of signaling and telecommunication systems of these highspeed lines from their respective commissioning in 2009 until today – around 13 years.
The last contract signed in December underscores the TCDD operator's continuing confidence in the availability of Thales signaling system and testifies to Thales's ability to provide high-quality 24/7 maintenance services for complex technical systems and solutions.
It also includes maintenance for telecommunication systems like GSM-R, CCTV (closed-circuit television) and fixed networks. The 430 km line shall be maintained by 90 Thales experts and dispatched in 7 different maintenance centers.

Capabilities and expertise to modernize Türkiye's transport system

Thales has operated in Türkiye for over 20 years and has been an active contributor to key modernisation projects on both conventional and high-speed railway lines. The company's team of more than 100 employees provide a range of services including engineering, installation, testing and commissioning of railway safety and control systems, maintenance, project management and training.

“Türkiye is a key country for Thales with an important role in maintaining the company's potential to develop competitive, innovation-based solutions." - Fernando Ortega, Thales Transport Director in Türkiye