ANKARA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye is positioning itself as a global hub for railroad transportation by bridging Asia and Europe, aiming to tap into a 75-billion-U.S. dollar transportation market, according to Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu on Tuesday.
"We are advancing our high-speed, very high-speed, and conventional rail systems, with plans to expand until 2053," semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted the Turkish minister as saying.
He said 8,554 km of new rail will be added to Türkiye's high-speed railway network, which currently spans over 14,000 km.
Uraloglu emphasized that Türkiye aims to enhance integration between railways, ports, industrial centers, and logistic hubs to improve domestic and international connectivity.
He highlighted the strategic importance of the rail sector, particularly for freight and passenger transport.
The ministry has linked railways to logistics centers, airports, and ports, facilitating combined transportation, he said, adding that the goal is to strengthen rail connections across the country.
Uraloglu said Türkiye produces a variety of rail system components, including locomotives, train sets, and control systems, noting that the country is now the 10th largest operator of high-speed trains, boasting more than 2,200 km of high-speed lines. ■