In February, the Governor of Ulaanbaatar City and the Mayor of the Capital City, Kh.Nyambaatar proposed a measure to limit the number of registered vehicles at 730,000 in the capital city. This proposal was subsequently approved by the Ulaanbaatar City Council on February 8. Last week, the council announced that, effective from November 8, the issuance of new license plates for vehicles in the capital city will likely cease as part of ongoing efforts to combat traffic congestion.
The decision to cease the number of vehicles via restrictions on new license plate registrations has sparked considerable controversy among the public. Many warned that such a measure would lead to unintended consequences, including issues related to system overload and delays. Despite these concerns, officials moved forward with the decision, which has already begun to show adverse effects.
Since the announcement, the online system of the National Road Transport Center has been overwhelmed with a flood of requests from individuals seeking to register their vehicles before the new restrictions take effect. The sheer volume of users accessing the system has led to frequent crashes, prompting widespread frustration among citizens. Social media complaints reveal the difficulties that people are facing: “It seems like employees at the National Road Transport Center secure numbers for themselves. Ordinary citizens cannot even access the system to get a single license plate. After waiting forever, Ulaanbaatar plate numbers are unavailable while provincial ones are still obtainable,” one person commented. Others questioned the motives behind these restrictions, expressing disappointment with the capital city administration’s response. One resident noted, “If Ulaanbaatar’s quota is indeed exhausted, why are citizens being subjected to such inconvenience?”
As of most recently, system issues continued to persist, with citizens crowding the center’s offices to inquire about system status and availability. The situation has forced many to turn to in-person visits at the center branches, leading to overwhelming congestion, particularly at the “Da Khuree” market, where space is now at a premium.
Residents have voiced strong opposition to the current circumstances, with some calling the decision a “garbage policy” that disproportionately burdens those trying to transfer or secure new plates. A frustrated citizen questioned, “Why does every decision want to block or penalize citizens? Are they pleased only when we’re at our wits’ end?”
The backlash against these measures underscores the public’s concerns regarding the practicality and fairness of the capital city’s approach to managing congestion. Whether these challenges will prompt any reassessment of the policy remains to be seen, as citizens continue to await more effective solutions from the Ulaanbaatar administration.
