How road transport rallied during the pandemic

 

Like many industries, commercial road transport was seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, operators and their employees stepped up to the plate and their actions have been widely praised.
Even with operations significantly reduced, or in certain cases at a complete standstill, some businesses have been offering special services to the most vulnerable members of society.

 

We look back at a few examples of companies from IRU’s community that have been going the extra mile amidst the crisis.

 

Lifesaving support

Globally, goods road transport companies are forecasted to sustain losses of more than EUR 550 billion in 2020. European passenger transport is facing losses of EUR 80 billion. Despite this looming financial adversity, drivers are working hard to ensure that food, medical supplies and passengers safely reach their destinations.

 

UPS is no exception. In response to the pandemic, the company’s subsidiary UPS Healthcare, which recently doubled its clinical trial material storage and distribution facility in Frankfurt, Germany, is providing the timely and safe delivery of medical supplies around the globe. UPS drivers deliver personal protective equipment, test kits, ventilators and medication.

 

“I am proud of the important role this company is playing in the battle against the Coronavirus. We will continue to do our part by deploying our capabilities in unprecedented ways until this pandemic is behind us.” WES WHEELER, President of UPS Healthcare.

 

Adapting to community needs

Passenger transport was hit particularly hard by lockdown measures. Revenues fell by 80% for scheduled intercity services and up to 100% for tourist and cross-border coach services. Passenger transport workers and enterprises responded with innovation and efficiency.

 

In Spain, authorities responded to the high COVID-19 mortality rate by converting hotels into healthcare facilities for recovering patients. However, there was a severe shortage of logistical capacity for patient transport.

 

ALSA, a leading passenger transport operator in Spain, helped to meet this challenge by providing buses to the Military Emergency Unit and adapting their vehicles to patient needs. ALSA assisted with the transport of hundreds of COVID-19 patients to six medical units throughout Spain. Read more

 

Source: IRU

 

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