6th of September Express

6th of September Express
Overview
Service typeIntercity rail
StatusService temporarily suspended
LocaleWestern Turkey
PredecessorMarmara Express
First service1 September 2007
Last service12 March 2020
Current operator(s)TCDD Taşımacılık
Former operator(s)Turkish State Railways
Route
TerminiBasmane Terminal, İzmir
Bandırma station, Balıkesir
Stops20
Distance travelled341 km (212 mi)
Average journey time8 hours, 15 minutes
Service frequencyTwice daily, each way (One as 6th September and one as 17th September)
On-board services
Class(es)Coach class
Disabled accessLimited
Seating arrangements2+1
Technical
Rolling stockTVS2000
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
ElectrificationYes but not used
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)Turkish State Railways

The 6th of September Express (Turkish: 6 Eylül Ekspresi) is a 368 km (229 mi) long daily passenger train operated by TCDD Taşımacılık. The train runs from Basmane Terminal[1] in İzmir to Soma, Manisa[2] in western Turkey. The train provides local service on between the two destinations and the total scheduled time of a trip is 3 hours and 33 minutes.[citation needed]

The 6th of September Express was inaugurated on 1 September 2007, as a second train service from İzmir to Bandırma.[3] Following a tunnel collapse on 5 March 2016, the train was temporarily cut back to Soma. Once the tunnel was rebuilt and train service returned, the 6th of September Express continued to operate only to Soma for a year. It is now extended to its former terminus.[citation needed]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 6th of September Express was suspended on 12 March 2021.