M2 (İstanbul Metro)
Encyclopedia
The M2 is a rapid transit
service of the İstanbul Metro
. It is colored green on station signs but colored blue on the official map. It runs underneath the north-south Büyükdere Avenue. The M2 starts at Hacıosman near Sarıyer
and ends at Şişhane in Beyoğlu. There is a shuttle which services a branch from Sanayi Mahllesi to Seyrantepe, where the Türk Telekom Arena is. The M2 operates from 6:00am to 12:00am everyday.
. From there it travels under Büyükdere Avenue, a major north-south road in the city, through İstanbul's two major financial districts; Maslak
and Levent
. The line then heads slightly west just south of Levent through Şişli
to historical Taksim Square
. From there M2 heads through western Beyoğlu
to it's southern terminus, Şişhane.
into historical Constantinople, to Yenikapı, where it would connect with the B1 and M1.
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
service of the İstanbul Metro
Istanbul Metro
The Istanbul Metro, or the M2, is a mass-transit underground railway network that serves the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Founded in 2000, it now includes 13 stations. The system currently consists of a single north-south line...
. It is colored green on station signs but colored blue on the official map. It runs underneath the north-south Büyükdere Avenue. The M2 starts at Hacıosman near Sarıyer
Sariyer
Sarıyer is the northernmost district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European side of the city. With a long shore along the water, the district boasts both a beautiful coastline and a lush forest. The Sarıyer district is a huge area consisting of the villages on the European side of the Bosphorus from...
and ends at Şişhane in Beyoğlu. There is a shuttle which services a branch from Sanayi Mahllesi to Seyrantepe, where the Türk Telekom Arena is. The M2 operates from 6:00am to 12:00am everyday.
Route
The M2 starts at Hacıosman in southwestern SarıyerSariyer
Sarıyer is the northernmost district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European side of the city. With a long shore along the water, the district boasts both a beautiful coastline and a lush forest. The Sarıyer district is a huge area consisting of the villages on the European side of the Bosphorus from...
. From there it travels under Büyükdere Avenue, a major north-south road in the city, through İstanbul's two major financial districts; Maslak
Maslak
Maslak is a neighbourhood and one of the main business districts of Istanbul, Turkey, located on the European side of the city. It is an exclave of the municipality of Şişli, though being far north and actually closer to the municipalities of Beşiktaş and Sarıyer.Maslak is in direct competition...
and Levent
Levent
Levent is a neighbourhood and one of the main business districts of Istanbul, Turkey, located on the European side of the city. It is a part of the municipality of Beşiktaş which is situated to the north of the Golden Horn, at the western shore of the Bosporus strait.Levent is in direct...
. The line then heads slightly west just south of Levent through Şişli
Sisli
Şişli is one of 39 districts of Istanbul, Turkey. Located on the European side of the city, it is bordered by Beşiktaş to the east, Sarıyer to the north, Eyüp and Kağıthane to the west, and Beyoğlu to the south...
to historical Taksim Square
Taksim Square
Taksim Square situated in the European part of Istanbul, Turkey, is a major shopping, tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with the central station of the Istanbul Metro network...
. From there M2 heads through western Beyoğlu
Beyoglu
Beyoğlu is a district located on the European side of İstanbul, Turkey, separated from the old city by the Golden Horn...
to it's southern terminus, Şişhane.
Future Extension
Future plans are to extend the M2 on a bridge across the Golden HornGolden Horn
The Golden Horn is a historic inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the city of Istanbul and forming the natural harbor that has sheltered Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and other ships for thousands of...
into historical Constantinople, to Yenikapı, where it would connect with the B1 and M1.
Timeline
- August 19, 1992: Construction of the M2 begins.
- June 12, 1994: Taksim-Şişli part is completed.
- July 8, 1994: Şişli-4. Levent part is completed.
- April 30, 1995: The two tunnels are connected.
- January 11, 1999: The first trainsets are used for test runs.
- September 16, 2000: Taksim-4. Levent portion is opened.
- January 31, 2009: Taksim-Şişhane and 4. Levent-Atatürk Oto Sanayi extensions are opened.
- September 2, 2010: A northern extension to Darüşşafaka is opened.
- November 11, 2010: The branch to Seyrantepe is opened.