Collective and green: IRU launches new coach platform on tourism day

Every year, millions of tourists hop on coaches and travel sustainably across the world. To help its members operate even more efficiently and sustainably, IRU has launched a coach tourism journey planner.

Collective mobility, including coach tourism, is the cleanest, safest and most efficient way for people to move and travel.

With many coach operators going even further and adopting low-emission vehicles, coaches are driving green tourism travel practices.

For passengers, coach travel is affordable, comfortable and hassle-free. Ideal for group travel, coaches offer convenience and a sociable atmosphere, all while covering multiple destinations in one trip.

To consolidate up-to-date operational information in one place and help its members better prepare and plan their international coach journeys, IRU has launched a new online platform: The IRU coach tourism journey planner.

The journey planner offers information on:

• Urban access restrictions: Links to the different schemes in place along the journey
• Driver work regulations: Information on the minimum age, driving times, breaks and rest periods, and rules on the posting of drivers
• Weights and dimensions: Maximum weights and dimensions, specific requirements for exceeding rules
• Border crossing procedures: Countries with agreements, the authorisations required, cabotage rules, VAT rules, documents required at borders, etc
• Basic regulations: Speed limits, alcohol limits, winter and safety equipment requirements
• Tolls: Type of toll system, categories determining rates
• Additional information: Fuel prices, Flash Info alerts and public holidays

Available exclusively to IRU members, the journey planner can be accessed via the Intelligence Platform.