Newsroom

IRU acknowledges the Council’s efforts to update the Package Travel Directive (PTD) with the removal of payment restrictions. However, concerns over unclear cancellation rules, vouchers and strict refund timelines remain, posing challenges for bus and coach operators and SMEs.

IRU welcomes Member States’ decision reached in the Road Transport Committee to introduce a two-month grace period for the EU’s upcoming legal retrofitting deadline. This provides critical support operators urgently need.

Get ahead in 2025: IRU’s intelligence webinars are helping road transport actors forecast trends, tackle challenges and plan smartly for the year ahead.

Transport operators can now easily obtain their TIR carnets at the point of departure in Zhengzhou, rather than from Beijing.

At Saudi Arabia’s premier supply chain and logistics conference, IRU uncovered the power of AI and digital innovation in boosting the efficiency and sustainability of road transport.

In this IRU Intelligence Briefing, we delve into the key trends shaping road transport in the EU: Which types of goods dominate road freight? How do trip distances vary by product category? What are the main trade routes within the EU, and which goods flow across them?

IRU, together with the Network for Sustainable Mobility, has raised serious concerns about the European Commission’s announced “Greening of Corporate Fleets” proposal.

The benefits of improving soft infrastructure parallel those of developing physical infrastructure. This was IRU’s key message at the Eurasian Development Bank’s conference on sustainable development in Kazakhstan.

IRU brought its pragmatic vision of innovation to the International Transport Forum’s mobility conference in Seoul, South Korea, today. The event gathered global industry leaders and experts to explore the future of mobility.

IRU has joined a coalition of EU trade stakeholders urging a more efficient and harmonised Union Customs Code which would enhance trade facilitation and address existing inefficiencies in customs procedures across the EU.

IRU has awarded the prestigious IRU Diploma of Honour to 1,847 outstanding bus, coach, taxi, and truck drivers from 23 countries worldwide in recognition of their remarkable driving and safety achievements.

IRU and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) have signed a new MoU, refuelling their long-standing commitment to sustainable transport, road safety and cross-border mobility.

At the European Parliament today, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) met with travel and tourism industry leaders to advance strategies for enhancing sustainability and resilience within the sector.

The trucking industry continues to face a chronic shortage of drivers. Together with leading transport companies, IRU unpacked key trends and solutions during its latest driver shortage webinar.

AIthena partners focused on reviewing progress, evaluating key activities, and mapping out a strategic plan for the project's final year during their preparatory meeting in Austria.

The Council of the European Union’s adoption of its general approaches on passenger rights enforcement and multimodal journey regulation marks a significant step forward in safeguarding passengers and supporting operators. IRU welcomes, in particular, the clarification of the scope and the realistic extension of reimbursement deadlines. However, critical gaps remain, including the need to consider the unique position of small enterprises and set clearer rules on intermediary liability.

The European Parliament has advanced the CountEmissionsEU proposal, setting the stage for trilogue negotiations, recognising road transport needs, especially for SMEs.

At the Zakat, Tax and Customs Conference today, IRU’s Secretary General underscored the importance of digitalising trade and called on other countries to emulate Saudi Arabia's success in maximising the benefits of the TIR system.

The Bioceanic Corridor, South America’s emerging transnational trade route, could significantly benefit from the efficiency and security provided by the global TIR transit system, which has successfully facilitated trade on major corridors worldwide for decades.

A new training initiative is helping bus and coach drivers across the UK deliver inclusive and accessible journeys for blind and partially sighted passengers.

Public and private sector leaders came together in Turkmenistan to chart a sustainable future for global road transport, with a focus on driver shortages, decarbonisation and digitalisation.

As Iraq rebuilds its economy, the road transport industry is emerging as a vital force for development.

IRU member the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been calculating the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership since the 1970s.

At their annual meeting, IRU Academy Associate Training Institutes (ATIs) from around the world explored the critical role of harmonisation, innovation and transparency in fostering a skilled professional road transport workforce.

With the new European Commission’s leadership preparing to take office, collaboration between legislators and industry is key to advancing road transport. The IRU EU Manifesto offers a clear roadmap to unlock the sector’s potential for innovation, increased efficiency and sustainability.

The transport of dangerous goods presents significant risks if not managed properly. The League of Arab States has now approved a joint proposition, made by IRU, to harmonise procedures across the Arab region.

With driver shortages showing no sign of easing, IRU highlighted the win-win potential of third-country drivers at the EU Labour Mobility Practitioners’ Network Conference.

World Sustainable Transport Day, celebrated on 26 November, is a special occasion to highlight and advance safe, accessible and sustainable transport.

At COP29’s ministerial roundtable on greening urban transport, IRU’s Secretary General highlighted the critical role of collective bus, coach and taxi transport in meeting global decarbonisation targets.

The key distinction between young bus and truck drivers and private car drivers lies in the professional nature of their activity. In letters addressed to Council and Parliament negotiators, IRU has challenged the misconceptions underpinning the minimum driving age debate during the Driving Licence Directive revision.

The Union of the Associations of International Road Carriers (OTS-URTA) was established, with the help of IRU, to support the work of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening regional connectivity and road transport networks.

Supported by IRU, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Transport, in his capacity as COP29 transport lead, and ministers from around the world have committed to advancing the Middle Corridor as a model for sustainable, interconnected, digital and resilient development.

By offering access to one of the largest energy-agnostic acceptance networks in Europe, DKV Mobility is helping road transport operators maximise the benefits of all available decarbonisation fuel solutions.

With a global presence across road, air and sea, CEVA Logistics is mobilising both efficiency measures and alternative fuels on its journey to net-zero emissions.

Decarbonisation is one of the key challenges facing road transport operators. Help the sector obtain reliable data to fuel our insights as well as advocacy with international organisations and governments.