UITP Eurasia Conference 2025

• Serhan Çatal, CEO, Kocaeli Ulaşımpark 
• Hayri Baraçlı, Secretary General, Kocaeli Greater Municipality.
• Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General, UITP
• Doç. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın, Mayor, Kocaeli Greater Municipality

Rail investment in the Eurasia region is accelerating, with a 52% growth in metro development between 2010 and 2023, led by Turkey, Russia, and Uzbekistan (UITP World Metro Statistics 2024). Metro systems not only enhance connectivity and reduce congestion, but also drive transit-oriented development, economic revitalization, and the creation of compact, walkable urban environments, playing a vital role in building sustainable and future-ready cities.

Planning of urban rail systems is a long and complex process based on different study and analysis including demand, feasibility, right of way, geographical, economic, environmental, and land development. This planning process plays a pivotal role in decision making for investment and success of the project.

Moderator: Hayri Baraçlı, Secretary General, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality

Speakers:

• Dr. Yalçın EYIGÜN, General Manager, AYGM
• Mohamed MEZGHANI, Secretary General, UITP
• Prof. Ela BABALIK, City Planner and Transport Policy Expert

This session will delve into the complexities of delivering metro and urban rail infrastructure, highlighting key challenges such as multi-stakeholder coordination, regulatory hurdles, engineering integration, cost and time management. Experts will discuss best practices in project delivery, from planning and procurement to construction and commissioning, as well as strategies for successful infrastructure implementation in dense urban environments. Real-world case studies will showcase how cities are overcoming obstacles to build efficient, safe, and sustainable metro systems.

Moderator:  Dr. Ferial OUAHRANI, Membership & Global Operations, UITP

Speakers:  

• Erman Eryılmaz, Deputy Rail Systems Director, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
• Özge ARIOĞLU, Member of the Board, Yapı Merkezi
• Zhu Di, Deputy General Manager, Beijing Traffic Control Technology
• Paolo Carbone, Head of Light Rail Capital Programmes, Transport Infrastructure Ireland

This session will focus on the critical transition from construction to operations in rail projects. Key topics include mobilization planning, establishing the operations and maintenance structure, defining roles and responsibilities, ensuring staff competency, and implementing training and recruitment plans. Experts will share practical insights and lessons learned to ensure a safe, efficient, and timely start-up of metro services.

Moderator:     Dilber Tekgöl, Operation Manager, EsTram

Speakers:

• Dr. Özgür SOY, CEO, Metro İstanbul
• Mehmet CANBULUT, CeO, Kayseri Ulaşım
• Hasan Mohammad Al MUTAWA, Head of Rail, RTA

Digitalization is crucial for the urban rail sector, as it enables more efficient, safe, sustainable, and customer-centric services. Intelligent devices and software can monitor real-time conditions, analyze historical data, run predefined scenarios or simulate new ones, and forecast future performance to support proactive decision-making. These capabilities enhance operational responsiveness, maintenance planning, and passenger experience, making digitalization a key enabler of modern urban mobility.

In this session, we will explore the full digitalization journey — from data collection and smart analysis to informed decision-making. We’ll see how digital tools can help optimize maintenance and operational costs, improve reliability, and boost the overall efficiency of urban rail systems.

Moderator: Dr. Büşra Bura, Head of Strategy Development Department, İETT

Speakers:

• Zaza Sharkovi, CEO, Tbilisi Metro
• Sinan Karakuzu, CEO, İzmir Metro
• Artur Sarrate, Digitalization and Innovation Project Manager (Metro), TMB
• Serhan Çatal, CEO, Kocaeli Ulaşımpark

In this session, young talents working in urban rail systems will share their insights, experiences, and fresh perspectives on the future of the sector.

• Moderator:     Doç. Dr. Güzin Akyıldız Alçura, Yıldız Technical UniversitySpeakers:
• Huzeyfe Kara, Director of Planning and Sustainability, Kayseri Ulaşım
• Sefa Bacak, Tramway Workshop Vehicle Maintenance Chief, Ulaşımpark
• Furkan Karakuş, R&D Electrical Systems Project Portfolio Manager, Metro İstanbul 
• Anıl İşcan, Civil Engineer, YTU
• Ayhan Koyun, Tram Electrical Systems Maintenance Chief, Metro İstanbul

Feyzullah GUNDOGDU, Head of Eurasia, UITP

Maide Restoran
Serdar , Güneş Cad. Sekapark 2.Etap 41100 İzmit /Kocaeli

Rail systems are very complex involving different engineering disciplines requiring a well-organized and skilled project management team to improve delivery of the project on time and budget.

This workshop focuses on the complexities of rail system development involving multiple engineering disciplines and stakeholders. Participants will explore the importance of a well-structured and skilled project management team in ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. The session will cover best practices in planning, coordination, risk management, and interdisciplinary collaboration tailored to large-scale rail infrastructure projects.

• Ferial QUAHRANI, Research Project Manager, UITP
• Feyzullah GUNDOGDU, Head of Eurasia, UITP

Following construction, during the testing and commissioning phase—or earlier—operators should initiate detailed mobilization plans to ensure a safe and smooth start of operations. This includes establishing the operations and maintenance organigram, as well as other administrative and support units. Clear roles and responsibilities must be defined, along with competency requirements, a structured recruitment plan, and a comprehensive training program to ensure all staff are fully prepared before operations begin.

• Ferial QUAHRANI, Research Project Manager, UITP
• Feyzullah GUNDOGDU, Head of Eurasia, UITP

Feyzullah GUNDOGDU, Head of Eurasia, UITP