Turkish Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications Lütfi Elvan said high-speed train launched in July quickly gained popularity and the demand is increasing. Elvan said 6,000 passengers take the train daily and 220,623 people traveled by train between the capital Ankara and Istanbul since it was launched. "The seat occupancy rate surpassed 90 percent," he said. High-speed train offers 12 trips daily, six from Istanbul and six from Ankara. The ministry plans to increase the trips by adding new trains onto the line.