Ulaanbaatar Metro (Mongolian: Улаанбаатар метро) is a rapid transit system in the planning stages in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Ulaanbaatar Metro project was approved in 2012,[clarification needed] and construction was originally planned to be completed by 2020, however, as of 2023[update] 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.[citation needed]
History
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[1] 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.[citation needed]
The decision was made at the end of 2011 to begin construction of a rail system.[2][3] The project was intended to be financed by loans, by Japanese and other international capital. In 2015, construction was postponed.[4] In 2018 planning was resumed, and the cost was then expected to be around $1.5 billion.[5]
