Hitachi Rail has secured a contract to deliver advanced signalling systems at Kapıkule Station, Türkiye’s final rail gateway to Europe. Awarded by KOLİN İNŞAAT TURİZM SANAYİ VE TİCARET A.Ş., the agreement covers the design, supply, and supervision of installation for a range of core rail technologies, including Interlocking (IXL), Centralised Traffic Control (CTC), Train Detection via track circuits, and European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1.
These systems will support operations at speeds of up to 200 km/h on the upgraded line, which sits at a critical point along the corridor linking Istanbul to Europe. The project forms part of a broader initiative to improve Türkiye’s east-west rail connectivity by replacing a single-track line with a high-speed double-track route.
Kapıkule Station, located near the Bulgarian border, plays a vital role in facilitating both freight and passenger transport between Türkiye and the EU. The new signalling contract covers the conventional line section from Edirne West to Kapıkule East, and the short stretch between Kapıkule East and Kapıkule West.
Once operational, the station will feature upgraded track circuits, ETCS Level 1 signalling for enhanced safety, and modern IXL and CTC systems to improve operational reliability. The new infrastructure will be integrated with existing signalling assets to ensure seamless traffic control across the corridor.
Supporting high-speed expansion
The contract supports Türkiye’s broader railway modernisation agenda, which includes the construction of a high-speed rail line from Istanbul to Edirne. The line is designed for trains travelling up to 200 km/h and aims to boost transport capacity and reduce travel times between the cities.
The second phase of the project, currently under construction between Çerkezköy and Kapıkule (not including Kapıkule itself), is also benefitting from Hitachi Rail’s technology, including the provision of track circuits.
Hitachi Rail’s involvement in Kapıkule builds on its growing portfolio in Türkiye. Previous projects include successful deployments of signalling and control systems on Gaziray, Başkentray, and Eskişehir lines. At Eskişehir, the company provided full signalling, telecommunications, and safety systems across the station’s network.
“With this latest contract, Hitachi Rail continues supporting Turkey’s vision of a modern, connected, and secure rail infrastructure integrated with the wider European network,” said Barış Balcılar, Hitachi Rail’s General Manager in Turkey.
Strategic role for Kapıkule Station
Kapıkule Station is the final Turkish station before the European Union and is set to become a major component in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). With the completion of the wider high-speed project, freight and passenger flows are expected to increase significantly, reinforcing Türkiye’s position as a key transit bridge between Europe and Asia.
The new systems will enable more efficient traffic control, better communication across national borders, and safer, higher-speed operations. As part of the national and European vision for integrated, modern transport, Kapıkule’s development marks a major step forward.
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