Osman Boyraz, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, came together with young people at the “Transport Vision in Turkey’s Century” seminar organised at Kocaeli University and shared the country’s giant projects in the field of transport and infrastructure. In his opening speech, Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürkün emphasised that the event brought young people together with the innovative aspect of transport and made them active stakeholders, and the event witnessed the excitement of national projects.
In his presentation, Boyraz explained the projects carried out by the ministry and its area of responsibility to the general public, and especially the railway system projects in Kocaeli in detail. Stating that Marmaray has reached a capacity of 700 thousand passengers per day, Boyraz also gave information about the two major metro projects ongoing in Kocaeli. He announced that the Gebze-Darıca metro line is currently completed and will be opened in June 2026, while the second 28-kilometre metro line, worth 115 billion liras, will be completed in 5-6 years.
National High Speed Train: “It’s Impossible Not to Be Emotional”
The most striking moment of the seminar was the part where the progress in the production of domestic and national railway system vehicles was explained. Deputy Minister Boyraz showed the presentation video of Turkey’s first domestic and national high-speed train with a speed of 225 kilometres per hour to young people.
Boyraz expressed his feelings after watching this work produced with national technology in the following words: “It is impossible to see this and not be touched, impressed and excited. Regardless of your thoughts and beliefs, if you are a citizen of this country, here is the work.” These statements showed that the project was not only a technical achievement, but also a source of national pride.
Emphasis on Perseverance and Faith for Success
Boyraz aimed to inspire young people by presenting excerpts from his own life story. Stating that he completed his education by distributing newspapers in his youth, Boyraz emphasised the importance of perseverance, struggle and effort. The most important message he gave to young people was: “You cannot write the story of something you do not believe in. In order to succeed, you have to work with the sweat of your brow and the sweat of your mind.” Boyraz gave the message that at the point where the country has reached with national projects, young people should also be partners in this vision and work with belief.
