Mission Statement

To provide safe accessible rural community transport in West Cork prioritising the Older People, Youth and People with disabilities
To provide a mechanism for enhanced co ordination of existing transport services
To develop a social enterprise where Community Transport is provided and delivered more efficiently and cost effectively at a local level.

West Cork Rural Transport:

v  Company Limited by Guarantee

v  Charitable Status (CHY 15469)

v  Programme funded by the NDP, the Community Services Programme, Dept of Social & Family Affairs and FAS

v  Fourteen Board Members

The Service is

• Fully Accessible
• Free to bus pass holders
• Single fare €4.00
• Return fare €6.00
• The routes are semi flexible in that they may deviate off the route to collect people nearer or at their homes.
• Commuters may book in advance.

The Company delivers its services through a combination of using its own vehicles and the contracting of private providers.
Currently West Cork Rural Transport employs a General Manager, Operations Manager, Administrator, Dispatcher, twelve drivers both full time and part time and operates nine accessible mini-buses

Since its formation in September 2002 when passenger journeys were 102 in the first month it has progressed to over 3,500 passenger journeys per month or just over 40,000 passenger journeys in 2008.

The project delivers traditional Rural Transport with its own accessible mini buses plus a wide range of community/social transport services. This includes the provision of accessible transport and out of hours transport also.

The Social Impact of such a local Community Transport is quite considerable and has made a significant difference to many people over the past seven years. For instance it has given people who traditionally had a bus pass but could never use it the opportunity to do so and travel to the local towns and villages. This is because the mini buses deviates off the main roads and collects people at or near their homes. Also when they get into town the mini bus will facilitate them to do shopping, visit the doctor, collect a prescription or call to the hospital.  This in vital for older people where traditionally they were dropped off in the town centre and had no way of getting to the said hospital or clinic. 

There is also tremendous Social Interaction on the mini buses and people look forward to the weekly trip out.

Another vital aspect of the service is the fact that the mini buses are accessible. This helps quite a number of people who may be wheelchair users or who cannot negotiate steps. The service provides transport to people wishing to go to respite to the local hospitals in West Cork.

As is highlighted in multiple international studies of Rural Transport services, far too much overlap exists when groups work independently of each other. To maximise transport resources thereby avoiding costly duplication is one of the core objectives of West Cork Rural Transport. 

Aims and Ethos of Project:

Included in the project’s aims are:

• To provide rural transport, this combines both social awareness and value for money by using practical logistical solutions in its delivery. For example structuring the routes and timings specifically to encompass as many of the target groups as possible.
• Having flexibility combined with a strong customer focused ethos with a willingness to respond to specific demands as they arise. For example accessible transport is prioritised when requested with the minimum of bureaucracy. It is also available outside office hours at evenings and weekends in what is effectively a response to facilitate passenger requests.
• Specific targeting of people living in isolated areas that do not have access to transport. For example deviating off the route to collect people at their homes, as well as taking them to doctor’s or hospital appointments when they arrive in town.
• A commitment to promoting brokerage and developing an interagency approach to service delivery locally throughout West Cork
• Prioritising staff training. For example the staff have been trained in First Aid, Customer Care, Manual Handling and Midas Mini Bus Training. The Group have also been awarded the prestigious FAS ‘Excellence through People’ award.
• The formation of a passenger sub-committee together with the Manager and two board members to review analyse and respond to any issues on the various routes.
• The commitment to the implementation of a high standard of Health and Safety. A Health and Safety sub committee comprising of Board Members, Manager, Driver Representative and a Volunteer has been formed to oversee Health and Safety.
• Prioritise social inclusion when analysing the potential of any service.
• Commitment to providing a broad range of transport options to encompass as many of the target groups as possible.
• The involvement of local communities in the design and promotion of services in their area. We have learned that the most successful routes are ones where the local community feel “ownership” of the service, and take responsibility for ensuring its use is maximised and value for money is achieved. This will ensure a continuation of services in their area.