The St John Health Shuttle will be based in Invercargill and will transport people to appointments in Dunedin on weekdays.
The Ford Transit van, which is sponsored by Four Square supermarkets, will also stop in Gore and Balclutha and liaise with present shuttle services in Southland.
St John community care manager (South Island) Pam Hall said the shuttle could transport nine people who had health-related appointments, and would be manned by two Invercargill-based volunteers.
The shuttle was identified as an important transport option after consultation between St John, the Southern District Health Board, primary health organisations and community agencies. Four Square also supports health shuttle services in the Wakatipu and Central Otago.
Oamaru was an option in the future, Mrs Hall said.
The cost of the shuttle and set-up costs would be met by the sponsor, and donations would be encouraged to help with running costs, she said. The Central Otago shuttle had a suggested donation of $40 for the return trip.
''You just about can't do it in your car for that.''
The shuttle service was expected to start about August.
