The IRU is looking for Smart Move award candidates who demonstrate innovation and excellence in business/policy best practices that promote sustainable mobility by bus and coach.

Geneva - The International Road Transport Union (IRU) today launched its call for public and private candidates for the IRU City Trophy 2013, the IRU Bus Excellence Award 2013 and the IRU Coach Tourism Innovation Award 2013, to reward the best private business or public policy practices that support sustainable mobility by bus and coach in the framework of the global Smart Move campaign.

IRU Vice President and President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council (CTP), Yves Mannaerts, said, “Buses and coaches are the backbone of the sustainable mobility chain and are leading the way in developing innovative solutions to challenges in today’s world. We created these awards to highlight and spread excellence within our sector and with decision-makers at all levels, demonstrating the commitment of the bus and coach industry and authorities to meet the increasing demand for sustainable passenger transport, while making bus and coach services even more user-friendly and passenger focused.

The IRU City Trophy 2013 rewards municipal authorities that implement proactive policies for sustainable group tourism by coach, such as coherent strategies integrating high quality group tourism with other interests; consultation with all stakeholders; provision of  instructions and signage in foreign languages aimed at coach drivers, as well as quality facilities for waiting drivers and passengers; and efficient communications to gain understanding and support from local residents.

The IRU Bus Excellence Award 2013 promotes high quality, cost-effective and innovative projects from public or private bus/coach companies that allow a greater use of regular urban and interurban public transport by bus and coach.  Selection criteria focus on service quality; creation of innovative new lines/services; integrated ticketing systems; implementation of quality, safety and/or security schemes; and customer care programmes, including for disabled and mobility impaired people.

The IRU Coach Tourism Innovation Award 2013 recognises any private transport company worldwide that implements best practices leading to a greater use of group tourism by coach. Projects submitted should include company initiatives that improve the image and attractiveness of coach tourism; successful information and marketing campaigns; customer service quality schemes, or environment and safety care programmes.

Candidates must submit their application dossiers in English to the IRU Permanent Delegation to the EU by mail, fax at +32-2-743 25 99 or by e-mail to maria.ivanovici@iru.org by 14 June 2013 at the latest, specifying for which IRU Award they wish to be considered.