Local Hackney Pilot Launched

The National Transport Authority (NTA), has launched a one year pilot programme for a special, limited Local Hackney service in a number of rural locations across Ireland. This is a grant aided programme, which aims to assist in the provision of rural transport by providing part-time local hackney services to communities in designated rural areas, which could not support a full time taxi or hackney operation.

The key element of the service is that it will benefit the community by providing licenced, insured, economic transport by Garda vetted drivers in local area. The Local Hackney, which exclusively operates on a pre-booked basis, may only pick up passengers within a designated area of 7 to 10km from a chosen point, normally the residence of the licenced driver. The drop off point has no restrictions, with trips to healthcare facilities and transport hubs further afield anticipated.

The Local Hackney Pilot grant aid is designed to contribute towards the fixed costs associated with providing this part-time service. Each successful applicant may be granted up to €6,000 which is payable over one year in equal monthly instalments where the service provider can show that the services are being used and that the Local Hackney is of benefit to the community. This is as a subsidy to any ordinary fares income earned.

Below is a list of locations included. For further information please visit localhackney.ie.