Fight global youth unemployment by reducing the minimum age of professional drivers

IRU is calling on governments to lower the minimum age for professional drivers to 18 in all sectors (truck, bus and coach). This simple measure will ease long-term driver shortages by guiding school leavers directly into professional training, helping combat youth unemployment.

New studies show how to optimise trade flows with TIR

IRU and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) have published two studies on the potential of trade corridors linking Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran (KTAI) and Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI). 

CNN reports on vital role of transport and TIR for GCC to recover from COVID-19

IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto has appeared on CNN to discuss how TIR helps fight COVID-19 and drives trade in the Gulf region with faster, more secure border crossings.

Bulgaria allocates over EUR 15 million to save bus and coach sector

The Bulgarian government has announced a financial support scheme for bus and coach operators to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Valued at BGN 40 million (EUR 20.4 million), the scheme is expected to save around 22,000 jobs.

IRU modernises road transport in Togo

With the support of the World Bank, IRU has delivered the third phase of a five-part road transport reform project in Togo.

Transport sector calls for an EU framework on the governance of B2B data

Representatives from the road, air, maritime, rail, and manufacturing in both passenger mobility and logistics sectors call on European decision makers to adopt an EU framework on the governance of business-to-business (B2B) data that ensures a level playing field for all partners in the digital economy.

Belgian coach sector down 90%

The European passenger transport sector has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. IRU analysis points to turnover losses of almost 60% in 2020, with many coach tourism firms losing up to 100% of their business.