[2][3][4] Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, once had a large tramway network on both the Asian and the European sides.

However reflecting developments in many cities around the world during the 1960s, the tram service began to be closed down in 1956, and was completely stopped in 1966.

An uncontrolled increase in the use of fossil fuel vehicles like buses, taxi, and private cars started choking the streets of Istanbul.

Turkey suffered many of the problems of developing countries, including pollution, traffic jam, illegal migration, low literacy and high levels of population increase etc.

As the Population density grew, Istanbul became increasingly urbanized, leading to growing numbers of motor vehicles.

These problems became apparent in the early '70s; during the mid '80s Istanbulites realized that uncontrolled motor vehicles access and the termination of the tram system had been a mistake.

[citation needed] Understanding the great mistake of former tram closure, the government started to decrease pollution as soon as possible, and also recover the good image of Istanbul for tourists.

Istanbul's transport authority decided to open a separate, modern, high speed tram.

This T1 route goes from the district of Bağcılar which is a bit west north part of the city to Zeytinburnu, then parallel the shore of Sea of Marmara north east through the Byzantine city walls at Topkapı (the Cannon Gate, not the palace), then eastward via Yusufpaşa/Aksaray, then past the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) and along Divan Yolu to Sultanahmet—the Hippodrome—the historic centre of Old İstanbul.

From Sultanahmet, the T1 line continues to Sirkeci Terminus and Eminönü (quays), across the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn to Karaköy Square (Galata, starting-point for the Tünel up to Beyoğlu's İstiklâl Caddesi), very near the Yolcu Salonu passenger ship dock.

On the reserved portions of the line, rails are often raised like metro/suburban train to run fast, and stops on these parts have platforms, illuminated covering, etc.

After opening in 1992, and until 2004, the T1 tram line was originally operated using high-floor ABB light rail vehicles (LRVs).

All of these trams are low-floor, and fully air conditioned, and can run at high speeds on reserved tracks.

In the future, there are planned branch lines from Zeytinburnu to Bakırköy, from Kabataş to Beşiktaş, and from Eminönü to Bayrampaşa.

There may be a new line from Kadıköy to Bostancı on the Asian side (if built, it would follow the original Istanbul tram Route 4).