If the loan application is successful, Izmir plans to invite bids during the third quarter of this year for 17 five-car light metro trains worth Lira 447m ($US 208m). The city will issue technical assistance tenders for the development of key performance indicators, out-sourcing and development of non-fare revenue; policy; and project procurement and implementation.

Test running is underway on a 5.5km underground extension to the existing 16km light metro line from Göztepe via Poligon to Fahrettin Altay. The light metro currently runs from Evka 3 in the northeast of Izmir via the city centre to Göztepe in the west. Three more extensions are planned, and Izmir is also building two light rail lines totalling 27.3km.

For more information on this and other railway tenders visit Global Rail Tenders.

Izmir-Fahrettin-Altay