Rural Transport Initiative (RTP)

Aim
The Rural Transport Programme (RTP) arose from a commitment in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 where a provision for up to Euro 6 million has been earmarked to support the development of pilot public transport initiatives in rural areas. This was mainstreamed in 2007 with an increased budget of 11 million. The aim of this funding is to encourage innovative community-based initiatives to provide transport services in rural areas, with a view to addressing the issue of social exclusion in rural Ireland, which is caused by lack of access to transport.

The initiative was launched in July 2001 by the Minister for Public Enterprise with a call for proposals. Structured in two parts, applicant groups had the opportunity to apply for either a pre-development (feasibility) grant or for operational funding. Groups who received pre-development funding have recently submitted project plans for assessment for the operational stage and it is hoped that the majority of them will be up and running before Christmas. The Initiative is due to end in December 2003.

Eight projects are participating in the operational stage whilst a further 26 groups have participated in the pre-development phase of the Initiative. Training, support and monitoring of these projects comes from Pobal, who is managing this Initiative on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Objectives
The Rural Transport Initiative has the following objectives: 

• To promote and support the development of innovative pilot community based public transport projects in rural areas; to use local knowledge and expertise in the development of public transport services 

• To improve utilisation of existing transport assets

• To develop models of collaboration and partnership at local level by encouraging different sectors e.g. voluntary and community organisations, statutory bodies, etc. to participate in the initiative 

• To gain experience of the use of new technologies in the co-ordination and development of transport systems

• To encourage innovative approaches to meet recognised local needs, including those of the disabled and mobility impaired; to develop models of best practice that meet identified needs

• To contribute to the development of rural public transport policy 

Principles
Applications were sought from voluntary and community organisations and community partnerships who were encouraged to apply in conjunction with their Local Authority, and/or Health Board. All applicants had to address the transport needs of the community, both social and economic. The proposed service provision should be available to the public generally within a given geographical area and should not be confined to any particular target group. The proposed initiatives  seek to complement rather than compete with the existing public transport services provided either by C.I.E. companies or by private operators. The potential to enable the provision of services for the mobility impaired is also being explored and promoted. Innovative solutions using I.T. technology will be considered for funding. Many proposals have locally sourced co-financing elements.    

For further information, contact:

Pobal
Holbrook House
Holles Street
Dublin 2

Tel:  01 2400700
Fax: 01 661 0411
Email: RTI@adm.ie   

Support

This company is supported by the Dept. of Transport under the Rural Transport Programme 2008-2010.

The programme is funded by the Irish Government and part-financed by the EU through the National Development Plan and administered by POBAL.

The company is also supported by the Dept. of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs under the Community Services Programme.

Contact Us

Rural Bus Newcastle West Enterprise Centre, Sheehan's Road, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
Tel: 069 78040            Fax: 069 78050

email: bookings@ruralbus.com