Cities, SI-Urban
Ulaanbaatar: Central cable car Axis for the capital of Mongolia
In June 2023, the cable car manufacturer Poma signed a contract to install a system in the south of the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar. The French company is gearing up to build and operate a four-kilometer cable car line running from north to south, connecting two major eastwest axes of the city.
Expectations
The cable car will link Peace Avenue in the north to the Yarmag district in the south, which is experiencing significant growth. The first of its kind in the city, the system aims to alleviate traffic congestion on main roads by providing swift, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation.
“Residents will benefit from an efficient mode of transport, avoiding congestion and current traffic restrictions, significantly reducing their travel times compared to driving, for example, from 30 to 60 minutes to just eleven minutes,“ reports Charly Kodderitzsch, Project Manager at POMA.
The line will also fully exploit the crossing capacities of a cable car, as it will traverse the Tuul River and the Trans-Mongolian Railway line, among others. In addition to the new City Hall and Khan-Uul Hospital, the system will provide reliable, safe, and swift access to public services for all city residents.
Furthermore, the line will promote intermodality in Ulaanbaatar, as the stations will be connected to the urban bus network. Finally, the line will be fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, thus facilitating travel for all in the Mongolian capital.
Yarmag – South Station: With drive station and connection to hospital and urban institutions
Tuul river crossing
Crossing the Trans-Mongolian Railway line
Kharkhorin Market Peace Avenue) – North Station: Turning point station with connections to major bus routes and the city center
Funding & construction
The French Directorate General of the Treasury (DG Trésor) decided to finance the mobility project developed by POMA for the Ulaanbaatar city administration. A financial protocol was signed between the French and Mongolian governments formalizing the terms of this low-interest loan. Planning began in 2023, with construction scheduled for 2024 to 2025. The challenges are manifold.
Charly Kodderitzsch
Project Manager POMA
“As the first project of its kind, the cable car in Ulaanbaatar requires organizational and cultural adjustments. Since we at POMA are the sole contractor, we collaborate not only with public institutions and governments but also with numerous local partners for planning, construction, and administrative activities. In addition, there are ground-related challenges to correctly assess and prepare for construction and assembly work.“
Maintenance & operation
“The administration of Ulaanbaatar will operate the cable car from the outset with our support until it can maintain and operate it independently,“ says Kodderitzsch. Currently, operation is planned for 350 days a year, with 15 hours of operation per day.
Depending on the final capacity chosen, the conveying capacity will be up to 2,300 passengers per hour. The fare system will also be implemented by the city administration.
“At POMA, we always emphasize the high relevance of attractive ticket prices to ensure that the cable car and other urban transport modes are used to the fullest extent,“ says Kodderitzsch.
Overall, the project has sparked curiosity and hope among the population, as it is the first of its kind in Mongolia and could provide an alternative means of transportation that could facilitate people‘s mobility.
“Other potential lines are being discussed. However, our focus is on the current line”, concludes Kodderitzsch.
Cabins with fodable seats provide moblity for all population groups, including people with reduced mobility.
Technical Data
Cable Car Ulaanbaatar
| Length: | 4.2 km |
| Speed: | 6 m/s |
| Travel time: | 11 min |
| Number of cabins: | 28/98* |
| Cabin capacity: | 10 p |
| Conveying capacity: | 650/2,300* p/h |
| Wind stability: | 75 km/h |
*Initial/expanded configuration
