Taksim is an underground rapid transit complex. It is located in central Beyoğlu under Taksim Square in Istanbul. The complex is serviced by the M2 line of the Istanbul Metro and the Kabataş - Taksim Funicular (F1) line. Taksim was opened on 16 September 2000 as the southern terminus of the M2 until the line was extended to Yenikapı in 2014. On 29 June 2006 the Kabataş-Taksim funicular station was opened, offering shuttle service to Kabataş. Taksim is the busiest station on the M2 Line as well as the Istanbul Metro. Connections to Havabüs express bus service to Sabiha Gökçen Airport are available.
The M2, officially referred to as the M2 Yenikapı-Hacıosman metro line (Turkish: M2 Yenikapı-Hacıosman metro hattı), is a rapid transit line of the Istanbul Metro. It is colored light green on the maps and route signs. The M2 operates between Hacıosman in southern Sarıyer to Yenikapı in south-central Fatih on the historic peninsula of Istanbul. Shuttle trains run from Sanayi to Seyrantepe to Nef Stadium. The M2 line has 16 stations, all but one underground, and a total length of 23.49 kilometers (14.60 mi). A daily ridership of about 500,000 makes it the busiest line of the Istanbul Metro system.
History
Construction for a north-south metro line started on 19 August 1992 when the groundbreaking of the M2 took place. The original route was a wholly underground 7 km (4.3 mi) line between Taksim and 4. Levent. Construction of the tunnels took place in three separate areas; Taksim, Şişli and 4. Levent. These tunnels were connected to each other on 8 July 1994 and were completed on 30 April 1995. The line was completed in early 11 January 1999 and the first rolling stock were lowered into the tunnels. On 25 March 1999 the first test runs began and the line entered service on 16 September 2000 between Taksim and Levent. "4. Levent" was opened one month later on 24 October 2000.
The M2 starts at Hacıosman in southwestern Sarıyer. From there it travels under Büyükdere Avenue, a major north-south road in the city, through İstanbul's two major financial districts; Maslak and Levent. The line then heads slightly west just south of Levent through Şişli to historical Taksim Square. From there M2 heads through western Beyoğlu to Şişhane. It crosses the Golden Horn towards the Old City and terminates in Yenikapı, a transport hub connecting with M1 line and Marmaray. (The Şehzadebaşı station on the map above was actually named Vezneciler when the extension south of Şişhane opened on 15 February 2014).