IRU’s EU Goods Transport Liaison Committee (CLTM), Passenger Transport Council for EU Affairs (CTP-EU) and Taxis and Hire Cars with Driver Group (TA Group) recently met in Brussels to address key legislative developments and elect new leadership teams.
The recent IRU member meetings in the EU marked a key moment for industry representatives to align on critical policy issues affecting passenger and goods transport. Members set their strategic direction for the year ahead, addressing regulatory challenges, sustainability goals, and digitalisation efforts to support a more efficient and competitive sector.
New TA Group and CLTM leadership teams
CLTM and the TA Group elected new leadership teams while CTP-EU held its first meeting under the new global CTP leadership.
Dirk Saile (BGL) was elected President of CLTM, with Joanna Popiołek (ZMPD) and Elmer de Bruin (TLN) as vice presidents. The TA Group elected Armand Joseph-Oudin (UNIT) as President, with Gregor Beiner (BVTM) and Jantine Vochteloo (KNV Zorgvervoer en Taxi) as vice presidents.
With the new leadership teams in place, IRU members reinforced their commitment to advancing a more efficient, competitive and future-ready road transport sector.
Key regulatory updates
The committees discussed the European Commission’s 2024–2029 transport agenda, including policy files such as the Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector.
Members gave IRU a mandate to negotiate on any future revision of the Eurovignette Directive, ensuring that incentives cover a broader range of zero- and low-emission vehicles, as well as those running on alternative fuels, while also preventing multiple CO2 taxation.
IRU also provided updates on key policy files, including the Automotive Action Plan, the Greening of Corporate Fleets initiative (with an impact assessment underway and a legislative proposal expected by late 2025), passenger and traveller rights, the Driving Licence Directive under trilogue negotiations, the smart tachograph version 2, Alpine Transit, Import Control System 2, and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. A dedicated session also addressed coach access to cities and Urban Vehicle Access Regulations.
With a renewed leadership team, IRU remains committed to working with EU policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure a balanced, sustainable and competitive future for the road transport sector across Europe.