Two initiatives set to get rural dwellers moving

Rural dwellers could be on the move by the end of the year under two local transport initiatives being developed.

Alan Kelly, the public transport minister, wants to sign off on a rural hackney licence in the coming months as well as a voluntary transport arrangement that would allow car owners receive expenses for driving designated neighbours to appointments and outings without falling foul of the taxman.

Plans for the hackney scheme were drawn up by the National Transport Authority on foot of a recommendation in the Taxi Regulation Review Report published last year, and were presented to the Taxi Advisory Committee for consideration a fortnight ago.