Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for Transport today (Thursday, 7th October 2004) announced an extension of the Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) for a further two years to the end of 2006.
Over 300,000 passenger trips were recorded last year alone through the services provided under the RTI.
Minister Cullen said: "I am delighted to announce that the Rural Transport Initiative will continue to be funded for a further two years. It provides an invaluable service for some 16,000 people living in remote rural areas throughout the country every week. The service is a vital connection for all who use it, ranging from young mothers to older people living on their own. It enables people living in remote rural areas where previously there had been no public transport services to access services in villages, towns and cities. The provision of accessible and affordable local transport has already made a very significant improvement in the quality of life for these people".
The RTI initiative is a community-based scheme that provides transport options for people in areas where there is no immediate access to public transport. Free travel pass holders can avail of the scheme.
Since 2002 the Department has been funding this pilot initiative under which 34 community-led transport projects provide passenger transport services in rural areas of the country. The purpose of the RTI is to promote and support the development of innovative, community-based pilot public transport projects in rural areas. Area Development Management (ADM) manages the initiative on behalf of the Department.
The RTI was originally designed as a two-year pilot project and funding of
€6 million was provided to fund it for the years 2002 and 2003. Primarily to facilitate an appraisal of the initiative, the RTI was extended to 2004 and a further €3 million was provided to fund this.
The decision to extend the RTI follows an appraisal of the initiative, carried out by Fitzpatrick Associates, Economic Consultants on behalf of ADM. The appraisal was completed in July 2004 and its principal recommendation was that the RTI be extended for a further two years to end-2006.
Further information:
Dan Pender (01) 6041089 087 2313415
Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 087 6430622
