Ulaanbaatar Metro

Ulaanbaatar Metro (Улаанбаатар метро) is a rapid transit system in the planning stages in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Ulaanbaatar Metro project was approved in 2012, and construction was originally planned to be completed by 2020, however, it is still not open. However, in December 2023, it has been announced that in June 2024, there would be an opening ceremony and the construction of the metro would be completed in 2027 and the metro will be put into operation in 2028.

Initial planning
The exact date of the initial studies on the project is unknown. Serious planning began in the early 2000s, when the city's population surpassed one million. In 2010, the population of Ulaanbaatar was 1,240,037 inhabitants and is increasing by nearly 100,000 people a year. The transport problem is exacerbated by the harsh climate and long winters. Traffic movement is difficult because of congestion, and the air is heavily polluted by exhaust fumes.

The decision was made at the end of 2011 to begin construction of the first ever metro system in Mongolia. The project was intended to be financed by loans, by Japanese and other international capital. In 2015, construction was postponed. In 2018, planning was resumed, and the cost was then expected to be around $1.5 billion. In 2018, Mongolia adopted transport oriented plan for Ulaanbaatar and reconsidered many mass transit options in Mongolia, including Metro system.

Reintroduction
On December 23, 2023, the Minister of Mongolia B. Delgersaikhan, Chair of the National Committee on the Reduction of Traffic Congestion in Ulaanbaatar, and Kh. Nyambaatar, the Governor of the Capital City, and the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar City were granted the right to organize the work to announce an international bidding for contractors and management consulting services for the construction of the metro in Ulaanbaatar in 2024-2028, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. The meeting resulted in revising the mass transit studies done by the Japanese firms in 2012 as Ulaanbaatar has grown widely since then.

On 15 February 2024, the draft resolution of the 2024 Budget Amendments for Ulaanbaatar was submitted by Ulaanbaatar Mayor Khishgeegiin Nyambaatar and Chairperson of Ulaanbaatar's Citizens' Representative Khural Batbayasgalan Jantsan which the budget for the construction of Ulaanbaatar Metro was included. The international tender to construct the metro system was launched by Mayor Nyambaatar on 29 February 2024. The initial tender closed on 18 March 2024.

Proposed route
In Ulaanbaatar, 14 stations are proposed from Tolgoit Station to Amgalan Station, with a total of approximately 17.7 km. The route runs from east to west and lacks any sharp turns and bends, allowing the metro to reach its top speed of 100 km/h (65 mph). A study from JICA highlighted that the maximum volume of passengers is between Sappro Rotary station and 25th Pharmacy station. The maximum number of passengers carried to one direction during peak hour in 2030 is about 18,000. The stations will all range from being underground such as the Sukhbaatar station near the Sukhbaatar square to Yaarmag station which will be planned as above ground station. According to the train operation plan from 2012, trains operate every eight to nine minutes in 2020 and every five minutes in 2030. The terminal stations through the whole length from east to west (17.7 km) will be connected in 27 minutes by metro.