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Commercial passenger road transport in the EU: a 360 view
EU | Brussels

Commercial passenger road transport in the EU: a 360 view

26 Aug 2025 · Intelligence, People

Did you know that buses make up only 0.3% of all EU passenger vehicles yet carry nearly 9% of total inland passenger traffic? That the Italian fleet accounts for over 20% of all EU bus transport? Or that the number of electric buses in the EU grew by 4,600% between 2015 and 2024? We take a comprehensive look at bus and coach operations in the EU in our passenger transport Intelligence Briefing.

What factors are shaping bus operations across the EU? How do urban and long-distance service patterns differ? Which countries lead in passenger traffic? What share of transport is international? Who is investing the most in fleet modernisation, including in which alternative fuel vehicles? How many transport operators are there, and how many people do they employ? What is the sector’s economic value?

The IRU Intelligence Briefing “Commercial passenger road transport in the EU: a 360 view” provides a comprehensive analysis of bus and coach operations in the EU, as well as the taxi sector, and in some cases covers neighbouring countries.

Figure 25. In Germany, the number of buses increased by 12% between 2020 and 2023
Figure 25. In Germany, the number of buses increased by 12% between 2020 and 2023
 
Figure 36. In Spain, CNG buses accounted for nearly 70% of the total alternative fuel bus fleet in 2024
Figure 36. In Spain, CNG buses accounted for nearly 70% of the total alternative fuel bus fleet in 2024
 
Figure 53. In the EU, around 430,000 land passenger transport companies employ over 560,000 people
Figure 53. In the EU, around 430,000 land passenger transport companies employ over 560,000 people
 

The briefing examines transport performance, fleet composition, labour market and passenger mobility dynamics, and economic indicators to help you:

  1. Grasp the sector’s current state and future direction
  2. Benchmark performance
  3. Identify investment priorities
  4. Plan fleet modernisation

 

Explore the findings

 

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