The Lira 1.23bn ($US 210m) project involved the construction of additional tracks on the 37km Kayaş - Ankara - Sincan corridor to segregate suburban trains from high-speed and freight traffic. The line was closed completely from July 2016 to enable the completion of construction works, which included 12 road overpasses, 10 pedestrian underpasses and overpasses, a tunnel, and 70 culverts.
All 23 stations served by Başkentray services have either been renovated or completely rebuilt as part of the project.
The fastest journey time for Başkentray services between Kayaş and Sincan is 49 minutes, and the project has reduced the fastest journey time for YHT high-speed services on the 25km Ankara - Sincan section from 17 minutes to 11 minutes.
Initially trains are running at 15-minute headways, although peak services will be stepped up to operate at five-minute intervals. Başkentray is forecast to carry 520,000 passengers a day.
Services are operated by E23000 EMUs supplied by Hyundai-Rotem. Each three-car train accommodates 259 passengers.
