OREANDA-NEWS. December 09, 2015. A first-of-its-kind discussion on promoting collective passenger transport along the Silk Road, was recently organised by IRU and the Tajik Association of Road Transport Operators (ABBAT).

The thematic round table discussed ways to improve current issues, including restoring and developing international regular and occasional passenger road transport in the region. Improving road safety, Silk Road tourism routes, new technologies in taxi operations, and supporting the IRU Smart Move campaign to double the use of buses and coaches worldwide, were also discussed.

Recommendations were adopted that call on stakeholders to monitor the situation and collect statistics on passenger transport throughout Central Asia. Particular focus was placed on regulating access to the market and profession, the need for training, replicating international best practices, implementing tried and tested UN instruments, and promoting mobility and tourism.

The event brought together passenger road transport associations and competent authorities from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as representatives from Moldova and Russia.