Despite rising passenger numbers, TCDD's losses have grown to record levels

State institutions operating in the transport sector have released their 2024 financial reports. According to a report in Sözcü, it was observed that the Republic of Turkey State Railways (TCDD) and its subsidiary in the field of transport, TCDD Taşımacılık, suffered significant financial losses despite the increasing number of passengers.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, in his latest statement regarding the railways, emphasized that 283 million people traveled by train in 2025, stating, "We served three times the number of passengers as our population of 85.6 million." The Minister stated that the number of passengers reached last year on high-speed trains, main lines, regional, and urban trains shows that the bar for comfort and safety has been raised. He also expressed that they expect a 7 percent increase in passenger numbers in 2026.

However, despite high demand and rising ticket prices, a loss of 25 billion 79 million 636 thousand 706 liras was noted in TCDD Taşımacılık's 2024 financial statement. TCDD, which is responsible for infrastructure, closed the year with a deficit of 36 billion 595 million 23 thousand 239 liras. The total loss of the two public companies reached the level of 61 billion 674 million liras in one year.

COURT OF ACCOUNTS REPORT CONFIRMED THE LOSSES

In the TCDD Taşımacılık AŞ report submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly's State Economic Enterprises (KİT) Commission in November 2025, it was determined that "The company's 2024 balance sheet closed with a period loss of 25 billion 79 million 636 thousand 706 liras." The Court of Accounts (Sayıştay), which examined TCDD's balance sheet, also recorded the total loss with the statement, "It closed with a period loss of 36 billion 595 million 23 thousand 239 liras, including the 2024 inflation adjustment loss." No statement was made by Minister Uraloğlu regarding the increasing losses of the institutions.

With the regulation made in 2017, TCDD took on two different identities: TCDD, which is responsible for railway infrastructure, and TCDD Taşımacılık, which undertakes transport. However, both organizations have been in loss since 2019. While TCDD Taşımacılık's 2019 loss was 1 billion 87 million 52 thousand 678 liras, this figure skyrocketed to 25 billion 79 million liras in 2024. TCDD's loss, on the other hand, increased from 2 billion 546 million liras to 36 billion 595 million liras in six years. Thus, the total loss of the two institutions increased by 1,574 percent in six years, reaching 61 billion 674 million liras.

The fact that losses continue to increase despite regular ticket price hikes and rising passenger demand has brought the debates on sustainability and efficiency in public transport back to the agenda.

News Source: 12punto