A Historical Analysis of the Railway Transportation Economy in Turkey

Abstract

The transportation of people, goods, and cargo from one place to another has been a significant endeavor throughout human history. The most important transportation system that marked the 19th century with the Industrial Revolution was the railway. The development of the capitalist economic system followed a parallel path with the development of railways. Large-scale investments were made in the construction of railways at great speed in Europe, particularly in England, and around the world. Railway investments in Turkey also first arrived during the Ottoman Empire period, mainly through European companies from England, France, and Germany. During this period, the railways built and operated by foreign companies with privileges granted to them were quickly nationalized during the Republic period, and the construction of railways relying on national capital under state control was deemed crucial for industrialization and economic development. Following World War II, the changing conditions led to different transportation policies in Turkey, with a focus on road construction while neglecting railways. Since the 2000s, investment in railways has once again become a topic of interest in Turkey. In this study, starting from the pre-Republic period, the historical development and economic dimension of the railway transportation system in Turkey are examined, and the state of railway transportation economic policy during various periods throughout the history of the Republic is presented.