Trade union questions safety of lines in rail crash

According to Siddik Aksoy, the general manager of the HÜR-ULASIM-SEN (Free Transport Trade Union), the Istanbul to Ankara rapid express could have been travelling at speeds of up to 120 kilometres an hour when it derailed on Thursday night.
State rail officials have said the high speed train, which only came into service on June 4, should only have been travelling at between 75 and 80 kilometres an hour on the stretch of track where it came to grief.
However, Aksoy said the lines in the region had not been upgraded since 1950 and were not suitable for any trains travelling at more than 50 kilometres an hour.
“You cannot have speed trains like these,” Aksoy said. “Since our railway lines cannot carry a speed of 50 kilometres, let alone 140 kilometres. In last night’s accident the speed had to be more than 120 kilometres as the last wagon got on the top of the first one. Our railway lines cannot cope with this situation.
Aksoy said the existing infrastructure was not suitable for high speed trains. He was also critical of the fact that all forms of rail transport used the same line, not just the high speed express.
“The speed train line should be straight and clear and no other trains should using it,” he said. “Heavy cargo train wagons go over it, passenger trains go over it. They make the trains wait. There are delays of five to six hours. Why? Because the lines are not suitable.”