UST Inc. Session at BRICS – in the Spotlight of the Media

The presentation by UST Inc. representatives at the VII International Municipal Forum of BRICS countries attracted the attention of Russian media. Among the key topics were sustainable development technologies, including string transport. Evgeny Petrov, Deputy General Director for Marketing at UST Inc. and moderator of the session “BRICS Sustainable Development Technologies,” explained in an interview with News.ru why interest in uST solutions continues to grow.

He emphasized that UST Inc. has developed overpass transport that meets all modern criteria of sustainable technologies. Operations are fully automated at a height of 6–10 meters above the ground, enabling crossings over rivers, roads, residential areas, and industrial zones, while addressing the “last mile” challenge in megacities.
The Belarusian technology has already attracted international recognition. For example, the Dubai Ministry of Transport shortlisted the UST Inc. project as one of only two finalists after reviewing more than 200 global unmanned transport concepts.

At the company’s own Test and Certification Center in Sharjah, rolling stock has already reached speeds of over 120 km/h, powered through a contact rail that simultaneously serves as the track. For metropolitan lines, the average operating speed, according to preliminary calculations, will be about 60–80 km/h. For urban transport, this is a remarkably high benchmark.

In Russia, the company plans to implement several pilot routes. Among the discussed directions are projects in Vladivostok, Blagoveshchensk, and Rostov-on-Don. In the latter, it is proposed to connect Teatralnaya Square with the “Levoberezhye” residential complex by building an 800-meter span over the Don River. Discussions are also underway with Sevastopol authorities regarding a potential line across Sevastopol Bay.

According to Petrov, project financing is expected in the format of public-private partnership. The company counts on the participation of investors and banks, as well as partial government support. This initiative aligns with directives from the Russian government and president to integrate advanced transport solutions into master plans for major cities in the country. These documents also provide for the development of the transport component.

Initial line segments are expected to be relatively short but designed for high passenger throughput, ensuring rapid payback within 10–15 years. This is unprecedented for urban public transport but quite achievable for uST given its exceptional technical and economic characteristics. Looking ahead, UST Inc. is exploring long-distance intercity routes, including a proposed Moscow–Minsk corridor in cooperation with the Union State.