Newsroom

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.

IRU, together with two other major transport organisations, has called on EU lawmakers to back critical measures and ensure that EU public transport services remain sustainable and accessible amid a severe shortage of bus and coach drivers.

As the new European Parliament sits for the first time, IRU looks forward to working with MEPs to drive a more sustainable, efficient and innovative EU road transport sector. Priority policy actions are outlined in IRU’s Manifesto.

IRU, the world road transport organisation, has published its annual report for 2023, looking at the organisation’s progress and achievements in shaping safe, efficient and sustainable road transport during its 75th anniversary year.

The annual ITF Summit of transport ministers took place in Leipzig, Germany, last week. IRU was at the heart of the gathering, putting the voice of the industry on stage and in high-level meetings.

Opening the 2024 ITF Summit of Transport Ministers in Leipzig, Germany, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto has stressed the importance of a pragmatic approach to decarbonising commercial road transport based on proven, available efficiency measures.

“How can we be greener and more resilient?” was the main question put to industry expert panellists – from Amazon, Flixbus, LKW Walter, Michelin and the World Bank – at IRU’s ITF Summit event today.

At a recent meeting held at IRU in Geneva, US and global trucking industry stakeholders compared and addressed solutions to key challenges undermining road goods transport operations.

IRU’s President detailed the latest road transport trends in the Black Sea region at BSEC-URTA’s General Assembly.

The road transport sector is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. But many types of actions are needed to achieve this. How do we get there, starting today?

Safety is at the heart of our work. For decades, we, together with our members, have worked to make road transport safer for everyone, including for drivers operating vital life-saving services.

IRU will lead a fact-finding research project, financed by the European Commission, to explore the legal and administrative framework for third-country drivers to access the profession.

IRU’s new European truck driver shortage report has found that over half of operators are unable to expand their business due to the shortage of drivers.

The European Parliament has officially approved the provisional agreement with the Council on the Platform Workers Directive at today’s plenary session. Pending confirmation from the Council, the focus now shifts to Member States.

Despite a last-minute push for technology neutrality, the European Parliament’s plenary vote on CO₂ emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles fails to recognise other solutions that can play a role in decarbonising the commercial road transport sector.

In the second of a three-part webinar series, IRU and POLIS brought together European leaders working to achieve carbon neutrality in road freight transport in and around cities. The group debated key issues on the complex road to 2050.

At the coveted biennial Expo Movilidad, IRU discussed key decarbonisation, digitalisation and driver shortage challenges and opportunities with leading bus and coach companies, manufacturers, suppliers and public authorities.

The efficient decarbonisation of road transport took centre stage at the United Nations Inland Transport Committee’s kick-off day in Geneva.

Young professional drivers in the EU have been the target of a misguided safety campaign. The European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) provides concrete steps to address the EU’s youth unemployment and driver shortage while carefully considering and addressing road safety aspects. Its vision should be endorsed by the plenary.

IRU welcomes today’s European Parliament Transport Committee vote on vehicle weights and dimensions. They confirmed key CO₂ emission incentives, but, disappointingly, placed additional obstacles against wider use of European Modular System vehicles.

IRU takes stock of today’s vote in the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on CO₂ emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. It is a mixed bag for the commercial road transport sector.

IRU’s EU passenger transport members have approved the organisation’s position on the EU Passenger Mobility Package.

IRU’s EU goods transport members have unanimously approved the organisation’s position on the European Commission’s proposal to amend rules governing the protection of animals during transport.

IRU’s EU goods transport members have approved the organisation’s position on the European Commission’s proposal to amend the EU Combined Transport Directive.

What are the challenges and opportunities facing the European logistics sector’s journey to carbon neutrality? IRU and POLIS will address your pressing decarbonisation questions during a three-part webinar series. Join us tomorrow for part one.

The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on a new crisis coordination framework requiring Member States to be transparent on their crisis measures. This now needs to happen in practice.

IRU and its member federations from France, Romania and Spain have met with EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean on actions to protect drivers and road transport services amid the ongoing French farmer protests.

In 2023, IRU, backed with on-the-ground information from its members, continued to report and analyse global driver shortages: a chronic issue threatening mobility networks and supply chains. This article offers an overview of some of IRU’s efforts to analyse the situation, raise awareness and advance solutions.

IRU welcomes the new EU Passenger Mobility Package to improve passenger rights across all transport modes. But many bus and coach operators will struggle to cope with a heavy additional burden on their IT and digital system resources.

IRU and ITF have reinforced their commitment to drive a just transition and improve the accessibility and attractiveness of the commercial driver profession with a Just Transition for Transport pledge.

Industry leaders, the United Nations and civil society are coming together today to celebrate the first ever World Sustainable Transport Day, officially marked on 26 November.

The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) adopted today the compromise amendments tabled by its lead rapporteur on driving and rest time rules for coach drivers.

Ahead of Thursday’s vote in the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN), IRU urges MEPs to vote in support of the compromise amendments tabled by TRAN’s lead rapporteur on driving and rest time rules for coach drivers, making the much-needed distinction from rules set for truck drivers.

IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto and the President of Mongolia have held high-level talks on measures to further streamline trade and professionalise the country’s road transport industry.

IRU and EU Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit met to discuss the recruitment, employment and integration practices for third-country drivers in the EU.