Express Transport Pulse 2026

Express Transport Observatory

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Express Transport Pulse 2026 - Optionale

Optional modules
Costs and adaptation
Costs and availability
Tachograph and compliance
Tachograph and partner compliance
Organisation and automation
Observed needs and solutions
Compliance — market perspective
Digitalisation and AI — market perspective
Cost and buying decision
Service and capacity
Future and supplier relationship
Step 13

The questions in the optional section are exploratory. They are reported separately, based on those who choose to respond, and are not extrapolated to the entire sample.
Your data are used confidentially, in accordance with the information presented above.

Which optional modules would you like to complete?

Costs and adaptation

Costs and availability

Tachograph and compliance

Tachograph and partner compliance

Organisation and automation

Observed needs and solutions

Compliance — market perspective

Digitalisation and AI — market perspective

Cost and buying decision

Service and capacity

Future and supplier relationship

Costs and adaptation

Exploratory questions about the measures taken and the cost drivers. All are optional.

What measures have you already implemented or are currently implementing to adapt to the changes after 1 July 2026?

Changing the fleet structure

Migration to vehicles under 2.5 t

Keeping 3.5 t vehicles with a tachograph

Migration to 7.5 t or more

Two-driver crews on certain routes

Transshipment or vehicle change en route

Increasing the share of subcontracting

Increasing rates

We have not taken any measures yet

Prefer not to answer

Which factors contributed most to the change in costs after 1 July 2026?

Decrease in monthly kilometres per vehicle

Waiting times, breaks and stricter planning

Tachograph costs: installation, administration, calibration

Additional driver costs

Compliance costs, documentation and inspections

Rejected or unproductive trips

Increase in subcontracting

General costs that were already increasing before 1 July 2026

We do not identify major cost pressure

We do not have clear data

Without stating specific figures, in which direction did the cost per kilometre change compared with the period before 1 July 2026?

Costs and availability

Exploratory questions about the partner network and margin pressure. All are optional.

Which factors contributed most to the change in the cost of purchasing capacity after 1 July 2026?

Higher rates requested by partners

Fewer partners with compliant capacity available

Longer negotiation for each route

Partners' compliance documentation and checks

Customer pressure not to increase the price

Partners that have exited the market

We do not have clear data

What measures have you already implemented or are currently implementing to adapt the partner network after 1 July 2026?

Expanding the network to new partners

Prioritising partners whose capacity is already compliant

Testing a small own-fleet component

Requesting a longer confirmation lead time from clients

Increasing rates charged to clients

We have not taken any measures yet

Without stating specific figures, in which direction did the average cost of purchasing capacity change compared with the period before 1 July 2026?

Tachograph and compliance

Exploratory questions about compliance. All are optional.

What are the biggest uncertainties related to the tachograph and compliance?

Different inspections from one country to another

Correct use by drivers

Interpretation of driving and rest times

Documentele necesare la control

Costurile de conformare

Liability between the carrier, freight forwarder and client

Not applicable

Prefer not to answer

How prepared are the company's processes for operating with a tachograph and the rules on driving and rest times?

What type of support would be most useful for the tachograph and compliance?

Practical guide for drivers

Driver training

Training for dispatchers and managers

Planning driving and rest times

Documentation and inspections

Administrarea datelor tahograf

Country-specific clarifications

How prepared is the company for the CPP requirement for B and BE drivers in international transport for hire or reward?

In the context of CPP, what type of support would be useful to your company?

Clarification of requirements and deadlines

Practical steps for preparing drivers

Driver training courses and sessions

Information sessions for dispatchers and managers

An internal driver certification planning model

Online training or e-learning

Not applicable

Tachograph and partner compliance

Exploratory questions about readiness and issues observed across your carrier partner network. All are optional.

What are the main uncertainties regarding the tachograph and compliance in your partner network?

Different interpretations and inspections between countries

Correct use of the tachograph by partner drivers

Documentele necesare la control

Costurile de conformare ale partenerilor

Liability between the carrier, freight forwarder and client

We do not have sufficient visibility

Not applicable

How do you assess your partner network's readiness for CPP requirements relevant to B and BE drivers?

How has partner compliance affected the difficulty of finding suitable capacity?

What support would be most useful for sourcing and partner compliance?

Partner compliance checklist

Verificarea documentelor

Instrument de planificare

Country-specific clarifications

Training for sourcing/dispatch

Contractual responsibility models

Organisation and automation

Exploratory questions about processes, people and digitalisation. All are optional.

What are the company's biggest internal dependencies?

Fondatorul sau administratorul

Unul sau doi dispeceri-cheie

A few key drivers

A few major clients

Lipsa procedurilor scrise

Lack of data and reporting

We do not identify a major problem here

What are the most difficult people-related issues?

Finding drivers

Retaining good drivers

Accountability of dispatchers and coordinators

Lack of people who can make decisions

Internal communication

Team motivation

We do not identify a major problem here

Where do you think automation or artificial intelligence would deliver results fastest?

Quote requests and quoting

Cost and price calculation

Emails and documents

Dispatching and planning

Data analysis and reporting

It is not a priority for us at this time

Observed needs and solutions

Exploratory questions from the provider's perspective. All are optional.

What changes have you observed in the market after 1 July 2026?

Higher demand for compliance services

Higher demand for digital solutions

Restructuring of clients' fleets

Companies withdrawing from the express segment

Longer payment delays

We have not observed significant changes

Compliance — market perspective

Questions about compliance issues you observe in the market or that are reported to you by companies in the sector. All are optional.

What compliance problems do you observe most often or have reported to you by companies in the sector?

Instalarea sau configurarea tahografelor

Lack of CPP-certified drivers

Different interpretations of inspections across countries

Volume of required documentation

Overall cost of compliance

Uncertainty regarding liability between parties

We do not have enough observations

What type of support do you think would be most useful for companies in the sector at this time?

Digitalisation and AI — market perspective

Exploratory questions about market-observed potential and adoption barriers. All are optional.

Where do you see the greatest potential for digitalisation or AI among express transport companies?

Turning emails into quote requests and offers

Dispatching and planning

Cost and profitability analysis

Documentation and compliance

Customer communication

KPI analysis and reporting

It is not a relevant priority right now

We do not have sufficient visibility

How would you describe the current level of adoption of digitalisation or AI solutions in the express transport market?

What do you see as the main barrier to adopting these solutions?

Cost and buying decision

Exploratory questions about what drives the buying decision. All are optional.

Which criteria matter most when choosing express transport?

Price

Speed

Predictability / reliability

Availability

Last-minute flexibility

Visibility / tracking

Supplier relationship

What can justify accepting a higher rate?

Guaranteed capacity

Shorter lead time

Reliability

Flexibility

Visibility

Critical situation

In general, we do not accept a premium

What alternatives do you use most often when the price is not acceptable?

Negotiation

Another supplier

Slower solution

Consolidation / groupage

Earlier planning

Reduce express transport

Service and capacity

Exploratory questions about service quality and capacity. All are optional.

Where do you experience the biggest problems in express transport service?

Finding capacity

Confirmation time

Transit time

Predictability

Tracking

Communication

Flexibility

What is non-negotiable in urgent transport?

Time

Predictability

Capacity

Pickup flexibility

Tracking

Communication

Which compromise is most acceptable, if necessary?

Future and supplier relationship

Exploratory questions about demand and future supplier relationships. All are optional.

Which factors will influence the use of express transport the most?

Production volatility

JIT (Just in Time)

Spare parts / emergencies

Customer requirements

Market expansion

Cost pressure

Better planning that reduces emergencies

How do you think the strategy regarding express transport suppliers will change?

What would improve collaboration with suppliers the most?

Faster quoting

Predictable pricing

Guaranteed capacity

Tracking

Proactive communication

Digital integration

Surcharge transparency

Optional: What topics would be most useful for express transport companies over the next 6–12 months?

Practical clarification on tachographs and country-specific inspections

Tachograph training for drivers and dispatchers

Clarification on CPP and preparation of B and BE drivers

A simple tool for calculating cost per kilometre and the minimum price threshold

Arguments for discussions with clients about costs, rates and delivery times

A practical comparison of vehicles under 2.5 t, 3.5 t with a tachograph, and vehicles over 3.5 t

Simple digital solutions for quoting, documentation and trip tracking

Practical examples of using artificial intelligence in freight forwarding and operations

Partnerships between carriers and capacity sharing

Cargo security, parking and operational risks

Prefer not to answer

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