Hackney operator sought for Offaly town as new scheme is unveiled
AN operator of a proposed hackney service for the Kilcormac area is being sought.
Kilcormac has been selected in a national pilot programme for a new State subsidised local hackney service, Minister Pippa Hackett has announced.
The pilot programme supports a localised, specially licensed, hackney service in Kilcormac as part of a national move to improve transport choices for people living in rural locations.
Minister Hackett said the service will operate on a pre-booked basis and may only pick up passengers within a designated area of 7 to 10km from a chosen point, normally the residence of the licensed driver.
“The drop off point has no restrictions, allowing for trips to healthcare facilities for example,” said the Green Party minister.
The National Local Hackney Pilot is a grant aided programme designed to encourage new part-time local hackney services in communities which could not support a full-time taxi or hackney operation.
Each successful applicant for the local hackney licence may be granted €6,000 as a subsidy to ordinary fares income, to run the service.
Speaking following the inclusion of Kilcormac as one of 21 rural areas across the country to pilot the scheme, Minister Hackett said: “A key priority of mine is to improve transport options across the Midlands, not just in towns, but in the areas around those towns where so many people live and farm. This local hackney service to be piloted in Kilcormac and also in Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, responds to the reality of rural life.”
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture added: “To ensure that this pilot is a success and will be rolled out to other towns, I urge interested drivers in Kilcormac to apply to operate the local hackney service and the people living in Kilcormac to use the service.”
Drivers will be licensed, insured and Garda vetted and applications to take part in the one-year pilot programme can be made at localhackney.ie
According to the website localhackney.ie, applicants must have a four-door (or more) vehicle that is less than 10 years old, must have a tax clearance certificate, and must commit to providing the local service for 40 weeks a year, including Friday and Saturday nights.
Unlike a taxi, a hackney may not pick up a new fare at a drop-off point or anywhere outside its designated area of operation.
Fares must be agreed in advance by the driver and passenger.
The maximum €6,000 annual subsidy will be paid in equal monthly instalments. Spot checks will be carried out to ensure the services are being used and the local hackney is of benefit to the community.