Transport industry in Turkey - Statistics & Facts
Transport has played a significant role in Turkish history. Due to the country's unique geographical location between Europe and Asia and situated along the Silk Road, Turkey has been a center of trade and cultural, political, and religious exchanges for centuries.
In recent years, the country has made progress in all means of transportation. Since 2016, the share of the transportation and storage sector in Turkish Gross Domestic Products (GDP) has been increasing and accounted for 10 percent of the country's GDP in 2022. That year, the government invested approximately 50 billion Turkish Lira in the transportation and communication sector to increase the efficiency of transport operations. Turkey is not the only country investing in the Turkish transportation sector; China invested just below 255.5 million dollars in 2021 to boost Turkey's transportation lines for its global infrastructure development strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative. With this new silk road project, China is trying to create a large unified market from China to Europe, and Turkey plays a vital role as an international corridor for goods coming from Asia. Turkey has a lot of potential to be a global transit hub, but the long-term effects of the new silk road project remain to be seen.
Meanwhile, buses carried more than 1.2 million people throughout Istanbul. This figure represents a six percent decrease compared to the previous year. Turkey is currently dealing with the high inflation rate, in particular, the transportation related consumer price index significantly increased from 2015 to 2023. This also affecting the passenger volumes in public transportation.
Moreover, in heavily populated cities, local authorities are working on implementing intelligent transportation and smart mobility solutions. In addition to classic transport services, citizens have started utilizing e-scooters and municipality bikes on the city roads.
In recent years, the country has made progress in all means of transportation. Since 2016, the share of the transportation and storage sector in Turkish Gross Domestic Products (GDP) has been increasing and accounted for 10 percent of the country's GDP in 2022. That year, the government invested approximately 50 billion Turkish Lira in the transportation and communication sector to increase the efficiency of transport operations. Turkey is not the only country investing in the Turkish transportation sector; China invested just below 255.5 million dollars in 2021 to boost Turkey's transportation lines for its global infrastructure development strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative. With this new silk road project, China is trying to create a large unified market from China to Europe, and Turkey plays a vital role as an international corridor for goods coming from Asia. Turkey has a lot of potential to be a global transit hub, but the long-term effects of the new silk road project remain to be seen.
Public Transport in Turkey
Considering Turkey's expanding population—approximately 86.3 million inhabitants in 2023—public transportation and mobility services play an essential role in daily life, specifically in large cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and the capital city Ankara. Since Istanbul is separated by the Bosporus Strait, which forms a continental barrier between Europe and Asia, many passenger and ferries travel the Bosporus daily to maintain access for both sides. In 2023, around 40 million passengers passed through both sides of the Bosporus via public ferries.Meanwhile, buses carried more than 1.2 million people throughout Istanbul. This figure represents a six percent decrease compared to the previous year. Turkey is currently dealing with the high inflation rate, in particular, the transportation related consumer price index significantly increased from 2015 to 2023. This also affecting the passenger volumes in public transportation.
Moreover, in heavily populated cities, local authorities are working on implementing intelligent transportation and smart mobility solutions. In addition to classic transport services, citizens have started utilizing e-scooters and municipality bikes on the city roads.
