Hackney licence changes to make service more accessible in Cork rural areas

Changes to local hackney licences will make it easier for drivers to operate a local transport service within their own communities.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has unveiled its enhanced Local Area Hackney (LAH) licence scheme, which aims to improve transport in rural communities that cannot support full-time taxi services.

Local hackney vehicle and driver licences will now last for five years, an increase from the previous three-year term, to help reduce administrative costs.

To increase service availability, up to five local area hackney licensed drivers may now operate a single LAH vehicle.

This may include friends or family members where the service is privately operated, or staff of a local business where the business owner provides the community service. 

This is a significant change from the previous requirement, which allowed only one permitted driver to operate the hackney.

Also under the new rules, where a local community gives support to an LAH applicant, the applicant will receive a licence offer from the NTA.

This removes the requirement for additional assessments that were previously required.

The NTA will also publish booking details for LAH operators on its website to make it easier for passengers to find and contact local services.

MAP

The NTA has also launched a new online map showing all areas eligible for the scheme. 

Previously, applicants only learned if an area was eligible after submitting an application. The new system increases clarity and addresses concerns raised during consultation.

In Cork alone, the changes to the LAH scheme will benefit people in areas including Macroom, Skibbereen, Dunmanway, Courtmacsherry, the Beara Peninsula and Bantry.

The changes to the LAH licence follow detailed feedback from communities and applicants and aim to make the scheme easier to access, more transparent and more responsive to local needs.

Speaking on the launch of the scheme, minister of state with responsibility for rural transport Jerry Buttimer said the changes open the door for more people in rural Ireland to play an active role in improving local transport.

“The updated scheme is simpler, more flexible and built around what communities told us they need.

“I encourage anyone who has ever thought about helping their neighbours or supporting their local area to take a look at the scheme and consider applying."

Cork Fine Gael senator Eileen Lynch added that the enhancements to the Local Area Hackney licence will benefit communities across Cork county.

“Rural Ireland depends on people in communities who step up,” she said.

Full details on the enhanced scheme and how to apply can be found at www.LocalHackney.ie