LEONEL GALLIN: “POMA GROUP” AIMS TO BUILD A SAFE AND RELIABLE CABLE CAR TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN ULAANBAATAR

Leonel Gallin, Director of International Projects at France’s Poma Group, arrived in Mongolia to review and oversee the progress and implementation of the cable car transport project underway in Ulaanbaatar. He emphasized that Poma Group’s main goal is to successfully implement the project and introduce a new culture of public transportation to the capital of Mongolia.

Hello, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. There’s a Mongolian saying: “Hear words from a distant guest.” To begin, what are your impressions of Ulaanbaatar?

My name is Leonel Gallin. I serve as the Director of International Projects at Poma Group. This is my first time in Mongolia. I am here for a short visit to review the progress and implementation of the cable car transport project currently being carried out in Ulaanbaatar.
Ulaanbaatar feels like a very energetic city. The people are young, and the city itself feels alive with development. And I’m not only referring to the cable car project we’re implementing (laughs). We are proud that our project is becoming a part of Ulaanbaatar’s urban development.

When you arrived in Mongolia, did the project’s progress meet your expectations?

For the construction and mechanical assembly of this project, Poma Group is partnering with the Mongolian company “Monnis Engineering” LLC. We are confident that we have chosen the right company to work with. Mongolians are demonstrating their experience and reliability in major construction projects. Secondly, we began construction this year and have already completed the majority of the work in a short amount of time. This gives us strong confidence that next year we will be ready to open the system to the public. I would also like to mention that the “Integrated Project Management Office” is providing oversight as the project client.
The cable car transport project must be viewed in two stages. In the first year, construction and earthworks are completed. A significant amount of time is spent on the underground infrastructure. Next year, we will string the main cable, adjust it, and commission the system.

Could you explain what it means to “string the cable”?
This refers to the system, where a cabin is attached onto a steel cable stretched between two towers, allowing it to move. It is the most important part of a cable car transport system.Cable stringing consists of two key aspects: Safety. The system will operate not in remote mountain areas but above urban neighborhoods where people live. Safety is therefore the top priority. High-quality installation. The work must be done quickly and with high precision so that there are no later disruptions such as blocking pedestrian movement, stopping vehicle traffic, or shutting off power. This is one of the most critical stages of cable car system assembly.

As a global leader in cable transport systems, we trust that Poma Group will deliver a high-quality and safe system to Mongolia. But who will ensure long-term safety and operations?

Our top priority is to deliver a reliable and efficient cable car transport system. The second major challenge is to operate a well-built system safely. Without proper management, even a well-built system could deteriorate. Therefore, we aim to transfer our know-how to local personnel - training Mongolians, ensuring continuous maintenance, and establishing effective management operations. If we build the system but people do not use it, that would be unfortunate.
Poma Group’s goal is not just to construct the system and leave. We are committed to working closely with the city government for long-term operations, training, and maintenance. The key to the project’s success lies in its operation: the greatest result is when people are satisfied with the cable car system.

The public often asks: “Is this really a practical mode of transportation? Can it withstand the harsh climate?”

We have implemented this type of project in major cities around the world that experience extreme climates. Cable car systems were originally developed for high-altitude mountain environments—at 3,000 meters—where conditions are far more harsh than urban settings. So this is not a challenge for us. We have built systems not only in cold climates but also in deserts and arid regions.

In how many countries is Poma Group currently implementing cable car transport projects?

As of today, Poma Group is managing about 35–40 projects worldwide. These projects fall under three categories: Mountain sports and ski infrastructure, tourism and urban public transport systems. My role focuses on introducing cable car systems into major urban public transportation networks.

You mentioned that major cities around the world are adopting cable cars for public transportation. Why is that?

Over the past 20 years, many large cities have adopted cable car transport because it is the easiest and most efficient system for overcoming natural obstacles and challenging terrain.
Secondly, compared to other large infrastructure and public transport projects, cable car systems have a much shorter construction period - typically 18–24 months - and cost 5 - 6 times less than other transport infrastructure projects.

Thank you very much. We wish you all success.