Karsan is strengthening its position in the Turkish market. It has signed a contract to supply 150 Karsan ATAK buses under the tender run by the Istanbul Electric Tramway and Tunnel Operations General Directorate (IETT). Karsan will start delivering the buses, which will operate in Istanbul, in January 2027.
Karsan said this contract was an important reference for the company as it meant supplying vehicles destined for the demanding operating conditions of Istanbul – a city with a large population and heavy traffic.
Istanbul has a population of around 16 million people and the city is renowned for its high passenger flow, heavy traffic, narrow and steep roads and a wide variety of operational requirements across the network.
Istanbul is Turkey’s largest public transport and consequently, this order for 150 buses marks a strategic milestone for Karsan.
Muzaffer Arpacıoğlu, Karsan Deputy General Manager of Domestic Sales and External Relations, said:At Karsan, we develop solutions tailored to cities' evolving needs by drawing on our 60 years of manufacturing experience in public transport, our engineering capabilities and the operational expertise we have gained in cities around the world. With its population, traffic density, road structure, steep routes and diverse service requirements, Istanbul is one of the world's most important metropolises and presents exceptionally demanding operating conditions for public transport. For this reason, we consider the contract signed with IETT for 150 ATAK buses not simply as a major vehicle delivery, but as a powerful demonstration of Karsan's urban public transport experience and product capabilities. As the company that created the 8-meter segment in Türkiye, Karsan is now the most preferred brand in this category. The strong market position ATAK has built over the years is one of the clearest indications that we are successfully matching the right product with the right operational needs.
Muzaffer Arpacıoğlu stressed that Turkey was the company’s home market and that winning this tender for 150 vehicles reinforced its leadership in the eight-metre segment.
Muzaffer Arpacıoğlu continued:With its compact dimensions, outstanding manoeuvrability and climbing capability, passenger capacity and operational efficiency, ATAK is a powerful solution capable of meeting the needs of Istanbul's diverse routes. We are delighted to contribute to Istanbul's public transport system through this major 150-vehicle project and to make the Karsan brand part of the daily journeys of millions of Istanbul residents. We will continue to develop the right products for cities' public transport needs and deliver major projects both in Türkiye and around the world.
The ATAK Range
The ATAK buses will be eight metres long and have a capacity of up to 56 passengers. Karsan says these buses offer a strong balance between passenger capacity and operational agility. In city operations where passenger demand and route requirements fluctuate, Karsan says that the ATAK’s compact dimensions give operators the right amount of capacity with greater operational efficiency. The ATAK has a tight turning radius and favourable manoeuvrability which will enable it to navigate Istanbul’s narrow, busy roads.
The ATAK has a Euro 6 diesel engine that delivers 137kW of power. SCR (selective catalytic reduction), DPF (diesel particulate filter) and EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) technologies also help reduce emissions compared to vehicles without these technologies.
The Karsan ATAK is also equipped to handle passenger accessibility requirements. It has a low-entry design, a kneeling function and a wheelchair ramp to facilitate boarding for passengers with reduced mobility.
