Yildirim announces plans to open railway to private sector

Transportation, Maritime and Communication Minister Binali Yildirim attended the Eurasia Rolling Stock, Infrastructure and Logistics Exhibition yesterday in Istanbul. Speaking at the exhibition, Yildirim said that Turkey's investments in railways had jumped to TL 5 billion from TL 230 million last year and totaled TL 26 billion in the last decade. "The routes will remain at the hands of the state, but those who demand will be able to use them, just like the airports and highways," Yildirim said, adding that the investments are slated to increase to TL 45 billion by 2023 and that the prices for railway transportation could also drop.