Mobility Package 1 hits the road

After three years of discussion and debate, the European Union’s Mobility Package 1 has been adopted by the European Parliament.

IRU calls for €75 billion road transport investment under EU recovery plan

With discussions ongoing to reach an agreement on the European Commission’s proposed €750 billion Next Generation EU fund to support post pandemic recovery and steer future investments under the EU’s next multiannual financial framework (2021-27), IRU is calling for clear and targeted support for road transport companies.

Norway latest country to ratify e-CMR protocol

Norway has ratified the e-CMR protocol, joining the 25 other countries which have already acceded, and completing coverage across Scandinavia.

The need for efficient enforcement during deconfinement

Road transport is the backbone of global trade and the economy with enforcement authorities playing a pivotal role in ensuring compliance and safety on the road.

Important relief measures for EU road transport operators enter into force

A patchwork of administrative formalities has been the main challenge for road transport companies during COVID-19. To remove unnecessary burdens and provide flexibility for operators during COVID-19, the EU has approved a set of urgent measures to help transport companies cope with the pandemic’s impacts. IRU advocated for the extension of the validity of certificates and licences as well as for the extension of compliance deadlines with European Institutions and Member States. “It is a relief

The future of distance learning in road transport - part II

In the second part of IRU’s interviews with members about the future of distance learning in commercial transport, we talk to Peter Hari, responsible for dangerous goods and safety at ASTAG, the Swiss Road Transport Association.

German toll exemption a model to drive decarbonisation

The German Parliament voted to extend the existing exemption from road user charges for clean trucks, powered by CNG, LNG and electricity, until 2023.

IRU’s take on the European Commission guidelines for tourism and transport

As Member States are gradually de-confining, the European Commission published a package of guidelines to provide harmonised guidance for the ramp up of the transport and tourism sectors as well as the opening of borders.

Road transport stories: coach tourism, fighting for survival

Founded by Karl-Erik Bergh and his son Mikael in 1984, MK Bussresor is a coach tourism company operating from Sweden.

Milestone for road transport companies to digitalise further within reach

The Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament confirmed the recent EU Transport Ministers agreement on the electronic freight transport information (eFTI) Regulation last week. The new rules should be fully applied by all countries of the European Union latest by 2025.

Call for flexible vouchers for coach travel and tourism customers

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, regular coach lines and coach tourism trips have been cancelled since March and the coach travel and tourism industry is facing a complete shutdown.

IRU calls for EU intervention on Turkish borders

IRU has urged the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, to intervene in the recent treatment of truck drivers at the Turkish borders.

COVID-19: ensuring survival of mobility services is a top priority

IRU, The International Association of Public Transport (UITP), POLIS, EUROCITIES and The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), addressed the leaders of the European Institutions (European Commission, European Council and European Parliament) this week in an open letter.

Sweden goes paperless with e-CMR

Sweden confirmed its commitment to move towards fully paperless freight by acceding to the e-CMR protocol this week.  

IRU report forecasts alarming jump in driver shortage in Europe

According to research from IRU, the European road transport sector is facing a 13 point increase in driver shortage in 2020.  

IRU launches Stakeholders Forum on Data

In the wake of the European Commission’s recent publication of its European data strategy and White Paper on Artificial Intelligence, IRU kicked off its Stakeholders Forum on Data last week in order to discuss open questions related to the management of data between different actors and interests with the objective to unlock the full potential of the digital transport economy.

IRU and The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet to discuss strategic partnership

Bilateral talks between IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto and SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov took place in Geneva yesterday, with the aim to boost trade and transit in SCO corridors.

IRU outlines industry approach on decarbonisation at UN

Opening this weeks’ annual United Nations Inland Transport Committee (ITC) session, Secretary General Umberto de Pretto outlined IRU’s pragmatic approach on decarbonisation.