TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD, vol.2677, no.8, pp.291-310, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
High-speed trains (HSTs) tremendously changed the choices in transportation modes
in the 20th century in Japan and in Europe, while the 21st century has been
characterized with ongoing and future extensions to the HST networks of developing
countries. Developing countries are characterized by income inequalities, and thus the
issue is to learn who uses HSTs. If HSTs are only viable in the wealthiest regions, then
HSTs will induce spatial inequity. If HST travel is too expensive, then HSTs will induce
social inequity. Numerous studies have explored the relationship between HSTs and
equity, but these studies have mostly covered economically developed countries, with
an inadequate number of studies being found for economically developing countries
apart from China. As such, the aim of this article is to fill the gap in the literature by
analyzing the case of Turkey’s HSTs. The study presents a literature review on HSTs
and the issue of equity, then uses Turkey’s socioeconomic development index [SEGE]
to make comparisons in terms of HST service accessibility based on different social
groups, ages, and occupations. Ticket price and accessibility indicators are used to
figure out how HSTs can be a tool for decreasing accessibility inequalities. The results
indicate HSTs to not necessarily reinforce the existing accessibility inequalities in
Turkey. The case reveals HSTs in Turkey to be a tool for improving equity through
HSTs’ ticket pricing policy in Turkey, their willingness to serve numerous cities all over
the country, and the way HSTs are used in terms of different groups.