People living in rural areas will be able to book Local Link bus services in the same way as ordering a taxi under a pilot scheme due to be rolled out by the Government.
Local Link buses provide services in rural areas of the State where public transport options are limited. Under the pilot scheme being brought forward by the Department of Transport said people looking to use Local Link would plan their trip using the online booking technology behind phone applications such as Uber and FreeNow.
“I’ve always been a keen advocate of using the best and most innovative tech available to enhance public services for our population,” said Minister of State for Transport James Lawless. He said the service being piloted could “make a real difference in ordinary people’s lives, especially the elderly or those living in rural areas who may feel they have been neglected in the past”.
Operators will be told to use a “Smart Demand Responsive Transport” syetem, a public transport service technology that adapts to passenger demand in real time.
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) is now looking for vehicles and drivers as part of the one-year pilot, which will focus on the effectiveness of the new technology in combination with the bus services provided.
It is understood there will be three pilot zones – rural, town and city – namely Achill/Mallaranny in Co Mayo, Killarney in Co Kerry and the Mill Road/Rhebogue areas of Limerick city.
Passengers will be able to use an app to prebook whatever trip they wish to make. Alternatively, passengers will be able to make a booking through Local Link offices.
The drivers who sign up to the scheme will log into a new app, which will instruct them through the process of navigating pick up and set down points.
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