Qualifying haulage and coach operators are set to receive a backdated payment for the month of March, under the recently established Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS), which is being modelled on the Licenced Haulage Support Schemes of 2022 and 2023 that was deployed to assist the sector with the higher fuel prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The RTSS will provide direct payments to the haulage and coach operators. Payments will be graduated, with smaller businesses receiving a proportionately greater level of support.

An initial payment backdated for March 2026 will made to each qualifying haulage or coach operator. The scheme will remain in place for three months.

Payments will be made for April and May, if the national average price of diesel exceeds €1.90 per litre in the month.

For coach operators providing local link and school transport services, a separate support measure will be introduced through the contractual arrangements with providers of these services.

The combined cost per month of these supports to the transport sector is estimated at €40 million.