As part of the organisation’s 2025 staff kick-off, IRU teams got a front-row seat to the exciting challenges and opportunities of road transport, visiting top mobility companies in Geneva and Brussels and exploring the history of customs in Beijing.
For their 2025 strategy kick-off, and as part of their ongoing commitment to understanding the realities faced by road transport operators, IRU teams were “on the ground” exploring sustainable passenger mobility and customs, reinforcing one of the organisation’s four core values: Industry Knowledge.
The day featured a hybrid plenary meeting connecting IRU offices worldwide, followed by local site visits.
After last year’s focus on trucking and logistics, the spotlight shifted to passenger transport with visits to three bus and coach companies in Geneva and Brussels, all leading innovation and investment into green mobility.
In China, where the global TIR transit system is witnessing explosive growth, the team delved into customs, exploring more than 2,000 years of perspectives at the country’s national customs museum.
These exchanges help IRU support its members as they navigate the complex journey towards more sustainable road transport, ensuring the industry’s collective efforts are both effective and impactful.
Electrifying fleets in Geneva
In Geneva, IRU teams, 80 people, visited Genève Tours SA and Globe Limo SA, two visionary medium-sized enterprises that keep Geneva and its region on the move.
Operating public service contracts with TPG, Geneva’s public transit authority, as well as providing coach and limousine charter services, both private operators are investing heavily in sustainable mobility, despite the significant upfront costs associated with transitioning to electric fleets.
Taking pride in their state-of-the-art fleets, providing a wide range of tailored mobility services to clients, both companies have also made significant investments in zero-emission vehicles and the costly recharging infrastructure required to operate them.
Alongside discussions with operational and commercial staff, IRU teams also visited both companies’ in-house mechanics and maintenance workshops, where these new vehicles are serviced and repaired.
Bus and coach companies have always been at the forefront of sustainable transport. During the visits, it was highlighted that many companies are opting for coach services to get their staff to and from offices, with each coach taking some 60 private cars off the road.
