yHT

YHT is the Turkish acronym for Yüksek Hızlı Tren, meaning high-speed train. It denotes Turkey’s high-speed rail service operated by TCDD Taşımacılık. The program began in the late 2000s, with the first YHT line opening in 2009 on the Ankara–Eskişehir route. The project marked Turkey’s entry into high-speed intercity travel and has since expanded to cover additional corridors, notably the Istanbul–Ankara region, through successive line openings and upgrades.

The YHT fleet is based on modern high-speed trainsets compiled to operate on Turkey’s high-speed lines. The trains use standard-gauge track and electric traction, with service speeds reaching up to about 250 km/h on core sections and with test speeds approaching 300 km/h on select stretches. Trainsets are operated by TCDD Taşımacılık and are designed to offer comfortable seating, onboard information systems, and streamlined passenger flow for intercity travel.

Routes and operations: The initial Ankara–Eskişehir service demonstrated the feasibility of fast rail in Turkey, and subsequent expansions connected major population centers along the corridor to Istanbul. The network emphasizes integrated timetables with conventional rail services and modern stations featuring passenger amenities. Typical journey times reflect significant reductions from legacy services; for example, Ankara–Eskişehir runs substantially faster than conventional trains, while longer intercity trips such as Ankara–Istanbul are typically around four to five hours on the high-speed segments, depending on routing and stops.

Impact and development: The YHT program aims to shift a portion of longer-distance travel from road and air to rail, improving travel times, reducing congestion, and supporting regional development. Ongoing and planned expansions seek to extend the high-speed network to additional cities and regions as part of Turkey’s broader rail modernization strategy.