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Passengers gathered at Edirne Station early in the morning to travel to Çerkezköy on the newly opened high-speed line, after TCDD staff checked tickets and the first service departed at 09:00.

Travelers on the inaugural journey said they welcomed the shorter travel times and greater comfort. Passenger Tunçer Metin told Anadolu Agency he was excited to ride a high-speed train for the first time, noting that the old trains took seven hours from Edirne to Istanbul and that the new service would help open up the European route.

Other passengers echoed that view. Gülbiye Güven said previous trips required a long wait and that she would now reach Çerkezköy in 55 minutes instead of arriving at 13:00. Türkan Çekirge thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the service, while Tunay Çekirge praised the comfort and ticket prices.

Key Takeaways

• The first scheduled high-speed service on the Çerkezköy-Kapıkule line departed Edirne at 09:00.
• Passengers said journeys that once took hours will now be completed far more quickly and comfortably.
• Travelers praised the comfort and ticket prices of the new service.