The Union of Russian Transport Companies was established on March 25, 2003, to protect the interests of the Russian transport sector's enterprises and make them more competitive. The Union is a non-profit organisation which does nor prioritise profits.

The Union of Russian Transport Companies currently is made up of 50 organisations. It was established by the Association of International Auto Transporters (ASMAP); the Union of Russian Ship-Owners; the Russian Association of Contract Services in the Road Industry (ASPOR); the Inter-Regional Public Organisation Inter-Departmental Union of Transport Companies and Entrepreneurs; and the Association of Shareholding Companies and State Enterprises of the Inter-Departmental Industrial Railway Transport (Promzheldortrans). Moreover, the Union of Russian Transport Companies comprises the Association of Forwarding Agencies of Russia, the Association of Shipping Companies, the International Association of Aviation Enterprise Executives, the Moscow Metro, the Mosgortrans Moscow City Transport Company, the State Transport Leasing Company, the Russian Road Leasing Company, as well as major regional transport unions, leasing companies and other basic enterprises.

Vitaly Yefimov, Russia's Minister of Transport in 1990-1996, was elected President of the Union of Russian Transport Companies.

The Union prioritises cooperation with national, international and foreign organisations and transport-company unions in order to draft proposals and recommendations making it possible to facilitate expanded, more cost-effective and multi-purpose transport traffic and to coordinate their activities. The Union is called on to assist its members in establishing direct ties, joint ventures with foreign partners and expanding other forms of cooperation. The Union is involved in drafting international agreements and in-house delivery regulations inside the international transport network. It also submits the relevant proposals to state bodies and international organisations. The Union provides consultative services, as well as technical, technical-economic, financial, legal and other expert assessments and expert checks and consultations in the sphere of transport deliveries. The Union prepares legal, economic, regulatory and other documents and holds negotiations with Russian and foreign partners in line with its terms of reference. It organises and holds conferences, seminars, symposiums and business meetings in the Russian Federation and abroad. Such events are called on to expand national and international traffic.

Union members have joined most working groups and expert councils of the State Duma, coordinating councils of the Ministry of Transport, as well as the Government Commission on Transport and Communications headed by Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov.

The Union comprises 12 working groups headed by union members and drafting amendments to national legislation and regulatory documents.

On May 13, 2011, the Union Presidium held its regular meeting and decided to involve the Union in the Russian Popular Front. A working group was established in order to draft the transport section of the Popular Front's programme. The section deals with Russia's transport arteries.