An Analysis on Turkey’s First Tram Silkworm (İpekböceği) Line

The role of tramways as an alternative public transportation system has been increasing in urban transportation system.  Although, the use of tramway is not at desired level compared to the use of rubber-tired based public transportation modes in Turkey, the SilkWorm (Ipekbocegi), being the first domestic tram produced in Turkey, will have a great impact on Turkey rail public transportation system.  However, some arguments have arisen over its first operation on T1 tram line in Bursa which was built in the end of 2013. Though, it is relatively very new one, some problems have already been observed on this line. The available data are not enough yet to do some analysis, therefore only a simple SWOT analysis is carried out to define the problems that appeared after its operation on the line and to put forward some possible solutions for them.