The Rural Transport Programme In Waterford
The RTP is a national initiative specifically aimed at people in rural areas who are excluded or may become excluded because transport is not available, accessible or affordable to them locally.In May 2001 Waterford County Development Board established a Rural Transport Task Group with the two immediate objectives of acquiring pre-development funding under the Department of Transport funded Rural Transport Initiative to research the level of need for rural transport services in County Waterford and to develop structures and processes by which these needs could be properly addressed. The Group comprised a cross-section of Community, State and Local Development Agencies and operating under the administration of Waterford County Council.
Having identified the communities of greatest need, these areas were prioritised and surveyed to establish real needs and potential usage of any services. These surveys were analysed and the results used to determine the best possible solutions to local needs.
The key target groups are those with potentially the highest unmet travel needs;
- The elderly
- Young people
- People with disabilities
- People on low incomes
- People on home duties
As part of our ongoing development the initiative was established as a Company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Members of the task group became directors of the new company and all services now operate under the Déise Link brand.
Within the Déise Link Programme the provision of services is subcontracted to local transport operators and we provide door-to-door transport with a semi-flexible transport service, i.e. the service can divert off route if necessary to accommodate passengers' needs.
