Even TCDD's flagship train, the Fatih Express, running from Istanbul to Ankara, was losing market share to buses and airlines.

New modern buses as well as the construction of the Istanbul-Ankara highway nearing completion, made passengers choose bus over train for the route.

The cars lacked proper suspension and air-conditioning, which made journeys in the summer very uncomfortable, due to the generally arid and hot climate of central Anatolia.

On 13 March 2009, the Capital Express was shortened by 263 km (163 mi) to Eskişehir and served as an extension of the YHT train service to Istanbul.

On 31 January 2012, the Capital Express was discontinued due to the rehabilitation of the railway in Istanbul to accommodate new high-speed rail service.