IRU and UITP join together to deliver common solutions for training, social and workforce matters, taxi-related challenges and joint advocacy to policy-makers and general public.
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and International Association of Public Transport (UITP), the two largest global road and public transport federations, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to cooperate and jointly advocate solutions to meet modern mobility challenges worldwide.
Umberto de Pretto, IRU secretary general, said: “One of the greatest challenges governments face today is ensuring sustainable mobility for everyone. Collective passenger transport can thrive and achieve its goal of doubling ridership and market share by 2025. However, it will require strong commitment, clear vision, leadership and partnership to establish an optimal market, legislative and fiscal environment. I am convinced that this enhanced IRU-UITP partnership will be instrumental in allowing us to better pool our resources in the interest of public transport passengers and societies worldwide.”
Supported by an annual Working Programme, the MoU sets the basis for cooperation on policy issues of common interest in public transport including taxis, education and professional training, sectoral social dialogue at EU level, as well as campaigning and joint work on projects and surveys.
Alain Flausch, UITP secretary general, said: “UITP is delighted to collaborate with IRU, an organisation committed to substantially increasing the number of customers in collective rail and road passenger transport. This objective goes hand-in-hand with UITP’s sector ambition to double the market share of public transport worldwide by 2025. The IRU-UITP partnership will enable both parties to work towards the promotion and development of high quality and efficient public transport systems that form the backbone of competitive cities and job creation."
The MoU was signed in Brussels at the 4th IRU-EU Road Transport Conference, which brought together over 300 policy and business leaders, MEPs and EC officials, to discuss the “Future of Road Transport Innovation and Efficiency."
