Local Hackney Subsidised Pilot Programme in 2023
New subsidised local hackney service to be provided in over 20 rural locations where no current full-time service exists
The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, alongside the National Transport Authority (NTA) launched a one year pilot programme for a localised, specially licenced hackney service to help improve transport choices for people living in rural locations across the country.
The Local Hackney Pilot is a grant aided programme, which is designed to encourage new part-time local hackney services to operate in communities which could not support a full time taxi or hackney operation. Applications to take part in the Pilot Programme can be made at localhackney.ie
The pilot programme will roll out across 21 rural areas, stretching from Donegal to Cork, for one year. All drivers will be licenced, insured and Garda vetted and will be able to pick people up from their doors to drop them to where they want to go, providing that essential “last mile” connection for people living in more isolated and rural areas.
Each successful applicant for the local hackney license may be granted €6,000 as a subsidy to ordinary fares income, to run the service. This grant is designed to contribute towards the fixed costs associated with providing this service. It is payable by NTA over one year, in equal monthly instalments, where the service provider can show that the services are being used and the local hackney service is of benefit to the community.
This special limited local licence is designed to ensure that existing taxi or hackney services already operating and providing appropriate service in any area are not displaced.
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.
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “NTA is proud to launch this Pilot programme, which will help people in rural communities across Ireland, giving them access to a safe, reliable, part-time local hackney service in their area. I would encourage anyone with a suitable and appropriately insured vehicle, who has an interest in assisting their community to submit an application for this pilot programme”.
Each local hackney service will be partnered with a local NTA Compliance Officer who will be a regular point of contact for any licensing or compliance queries.
The final acceptance date for applications for the Pilot was the 28th February 2023. However, each application will be assessed at the time of receipt. If the applicant in each area does not complete the licence process, NTA will assess the next applicant on the list. Two separate licences are legally required to operate a local area hackney; a local area hackney vehicle licence issued by NTA for suitable, appropriately insured vehicles and a local area hackney driver licence issued by An Garda Síochana for a driver who has been successfully Garda vetted. NTA will guide applicants through the process.
For more information on the Local Hackney Pilot please visit: www.localhackney.ie
What is the difference between a taxi, a hackney, and a limousine?
Taxis, hackneys, and limousines are licenced to carry passengers, but there are differences in the types of services that they can provide.
Taxis can:
- Be hailed down, or wait in taxi ranks for passengers
- Pick up passengers without pre-booking
- Be pre-booked (through an app or control station, or by prior arrangement with the taxi driver)
Taxis must:
- Be fitted with a taximeter (which displays and measures fares)
- Have information on how fares are calculated displayed inside the vehicle
- Be equipped with a physical device/terminal to accept cashless payments
- Obey the taxi fare rules set out by the NTA (see ‘how are fares calculated?’ below).
- Have a roof sign
- Be able to give receipts
Wheelchair accessible taxis must also be able to accommodate at least one person sitting in a wheelchair and one sitting passenger.
Hackneys can:
- Be pre-booked only. They cannot be hailed down or pick up passengers waiting at taxi ranks. The exception is Local Area Hackneys, which are specially licenced to operate in rural communities and can use an approved hackney stand.
- Arrange prices in advance. They do not have to use a taximeter and there is no maximum fare.
Hackneys must:
- Display the driver’s hackney licence on the dashboard
- Be able to give receipts
Limousines must:
- Be suited in style and condition to ceremonial occasions.
- Be pre-booked. Limousines cannot be hailed down or pick up passengers on the street.
- Arrange prices in advance. They do not use a taximeter and there is no maximum fare.
For more information on Taxi, hackney and Limousine transport, visit the Citizens Advice website.
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