The CHP leader earlier planned to travel to Eskişehir from Ankara on June 4 using a high-speed train, as also announced by the party nearly a month ago. The party even reserved seats in the train's business class for the train scheduled to depart from Ankara on June 4 at 11 a.m. However, some of Kılıçdaroğlu's aides reportedly warned him that if he travels on the high-speed train, the party would face criticism for both criticizing the government and for making use of its successes. The CHP leader changed his plans in accordance with these warnings and will now travel to Eskişehir by plane from İstanbul.
Turkey's first high-speed train, seen as a major success of the ruling Justice and Development (AK Party), started to carry passengers in 2009. The trains have a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour and a maximum capacity of 419 passengers. The trains feature 55 business seats, which feature power outlets allowing passengers to charge their laptops, 354 first-class seats, two handicap-accessible seats and eight wagons with a cafeteria. Passengers are able to listen to the radio and watch television on LCD screens located on the back of each seat. In the business section, which has leather seats, seating plans are two plus one, and passengers can tune in to four different radio and television stations. The seating plan for first class is two plus two. The train cars also feature handicap-accessible restrooms.
The high-speed train line has decreased the usual three-hour travel time between the two cities to one hour and 10 minutes.
