[1] The first section of the T1 opened between Aksaray and Beyazıt on 13 June 1992 and was later extended first to Topkapı and Zeytinburnu, and later to Eminönü.

In 2001 the Istanbul Transport Authority placed an order for 55 Bombardier Flexity Swift A32 trams.

They entered service in 2003, once the platforms on the line had been lowered to accommodate low-floor trams.

[3] In 2022 a special service for cruise passengers was announced which would run for cruise passengers from a new infill stop in Galataport (south of Kabataş station) and run to the Beyazıt station, providing visitors easy access to the Grand Bazaar at that stop as well as the rest of Sultanahmet, Istanbul's Old City.

[4] Metro line M7 is being extended southeastward to Beşiktaş and Kabataş,[5] which will provide T1 passengers much easier access to Şişli and other parts of the Istanbul Central Business District.