Metrobüs (İstanbul)

Metrobüs is a mass transit system in Istanbul that operates rubber-tired vehicles on dedicated lanes separated from regular traffic. This system combines features of conventional bus transportation with elements of a metro system. It was developed to reduce congestion in Istanbul’s road network and offers a fast, high-capacity, and fixed-route transit model.

History

The Metrobüs project emerged in the early 2000s as part of efforts to address Istanbul’s growing traffic problems. The first phase, the Topkapı–Avcılar line, opened on 17 September 2007. This route was constructed along the D-100 highway (E-5). Subsequently, the system was extended eastward and westward: Zincirlikuyu was added in 2008, Söğütlüçeşme in 2009, and Beylikdüzü Son Durak in 2012.

The system quickly became one of Istanbul’s most heavily used mass transit networks, primarily due to its ability to provide rapid transit across bridge crossings.

Route and Alignment

The Metrobüs line is approximately 52 kilometers long and consists of a total of 44 stations. The route begins in Beylikdüzü on the European side and extends to Söğütlüçeşme on the Asian side.

Key stations:

• Beylikdüzü Son Durak
• Avcılar Merkez - Üniversite Kampüsü
• Cevizlibağ
• Zincirlikuyu
• Söğütlüçeşme

The Metrobüs route bypasses traffic congestion along the D-100 highway, providing passengers with a faster journey. It is the only road-based mass transit system that connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul by crossing the Bosporus via the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü.

Operation and Infrastructure

Metrobüs operates exclusively on physically segregated lanes reserved solely for its use. Stations along the route are typically located in median strips, and passengers access them via footbridges.

The vehicles are designed as high-capacity, articulated, and low-floor buses. Metrobüs services run frequently along fixed routes, with particularly high frequency during peak hours.

Vehicles

The system initially began operations with Phileas buses, later expanding its fleet to include Mercedes-Benz and locally manufactured buses. Key features of the vehicles include:

• Double doors on both sides
• Fast passenger boarding and alighting
• High passenger capacity due to articulated design
• Low-floor configuration

Over time, technical issues emerged with the Phileas buses, leading to their eventual withdrawal from service.

Metrobüs VehiclesİETT)