A PILOT programme from the National Transport Authority (NTA) will see a hackney service in the Adrigole area funded via grant aid.

The NTA has announced a scheme of €6,000 grants for hackney services in 15 rural areas across the country.

The authority said: “NTA recognises that current public transport cannot meet the travel demands of many communities in rural Ireland, either because it is not available or it is not available at the time needed.

“The funding is designed to contribute towards the costs associated with providing this part-time service. This grant is €6,000, payable over 12 equal instalments for this one-year pilot programme, where the service is confirmed by Local Link to have been provided each month.”

Applications are now open for a hackney driver in the 15 designated areas. The successful applicant in each area will receive a €6,000 grant paid in equal monthly instalments over a year. To be a part of this pilot programme, a driver must:

Be resident in, or in very close proximity to, the area designated by map;

Provide this local service for a minimum number of hours weekly preferably including Friday and Saturday nights;

Provide this local service regularly for community events and activities at other times;

Provide a sample journey fare for a distance of 5km;

Provide a suitable, insured local area hackney vehicle, less than 10 years old, with an NCT certificate;

Hold a local area hackney driving licence;

Provide confirmation from Revenue that your tax affairs are in order, an eTax Clearance Certificate;

Be of reputable character and fit to provide the service;

Demonstrate that you understand the transport needs of your community and explain how you will help to fulfil those needs.