Professional Driver Training Seminar How to help Prepare your Road Transport Operators ”The Role of a National Association” Istanbul, 29 September 2005 Wojciech Sienicki President, ZMPD, Poland Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Association of the International Road Transport Carriers in Poland Created in 1957, ZMPD is the nationwide association of international road carriers in Poland 4026 members with ca 50th vehicles as of 6.09.2005 main objectives: representation of the interests of members, assistance, information, training, issue of the TIR carnets and guarantee of transport within the TIR Convention, services for members, national and international cooperation Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Polish international road transport of goods before and after the accession The number of international road transport companies and of their vehicles ► 1.01.2004: 9 757; 41 119 ► 1.01.2005: 11 835; 59 706 ► 06.2005: 12 340; 64 500 Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

The structure of the sector: Polish international road transport of goods before and after the accession (cont.) The structure of the sector: ► number of companies with 1 vehicle: fall from 35.4% to 24% between 1.01.2004 and 1.01.2005 ► companies with 2 – 4 vehicles: increase from 39.6% to 44.1% Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

► companies with 5 – 10 vehicles: increase from 17.7% to 23.2% Polish international road transport before and after the accession (cont.) ► companies with 5 – 10 vehicles: increase from 17.7% to 23.2% ► companies with 21 – 50 vehicles: increase from 1.9% to 2.19% ► companies with over 100 vehicles: increase from 0.07% to 0.14%. Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Three basic roles of the Association Participation in creating national legislation, in order to adjust to the EU legislation Participation in the accession negotiations, in order to achieve optimal accession conditions and to take advantage of the possibility of transition periods (in case of a need) Preparation of the national road transport operators for new conditions of performing transport activities Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Participation in creating national legislation Transport related legislation may extensively change New provisions should be not less favorable than previous rules It takes time to change unfavorable provisions, once they are taken Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Participation in the accession negotiations To achieve the optimal transition periods is very important Comprehensive knowledge of the EU regulations is the basic need It can really help transport operators in the first period after accession Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Preparation of the national road transport operators Every transport operator has to meet the criteria of the access to the profession Adequate information policy for the members is very important Education and preparing the trainers for it is one of the most important things Relevant handbooks and brochures should be prepared in advance Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Experts specialized in the EU transport legislation needed Necessary conditions Experts specialized in the EU transport legislation needed Permanent contacts with the authorities and Parliament Legal framework needed, enabling the association to influence legislation process in the country concerned Knowledge of the results of negotiations at each stage of the negotiation process, in order to react from the point of view of the road transport operators’ needs and interests’ Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Necessary conditions (cont.) Knowledge of the final results of negotiations and of their impact on the road transport sector in the country concerned Building the information strategy of the association Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

► growth of the number of transport companies Some major results of the accession for the road transport sector in Poland Considerable increase of the road transport services, resulting from the: ► growth of the number of transport companies ►elimination of waiting periods at the borders ► growing competition of the road operators from the „old” and „new” member states ► investment possibilities in transport sector in the „new” member states Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Some major results of the accession (cont.) Considerable fall of transport prices Growth of transport costs Lack of well trained drivers Bankruptcy of some small transport operators Transport services between member states performed without transport permits Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

The role of a national association in short This is a long – range process Membership in the IRU is very important Participation in works of the EU Liaison Committee, Goods Transport (CLTM) is very important To make use of other associations’ experience is very important To make use of other countries’ experience is very important Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

The role of a national association in short (cont.) To make use of the possibility offered in the form of transition periods is very important To support and control the accession negotiations at each stage To support strict implementation of the rules of fair competition (the role of the Road Transport Inspection) Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

What to do after Accession ? Current information for political decision-makers Initiating of law changes Support development of the transport in non EU directions Development of services offered by the association to its members Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Last advice Coordinate activity of ALL Transport Associations in the country Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Professional Driver Training Seminar Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005

Professional Driver Training Seminar THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005 © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005