Alexandra's sole taxi service closed earlier this year.
There are no bus services in the town, and most community vans are specifically linked to certain groups or organisations.
Representatives from various social service groups throughout Central Otago attended a meeting of the Alexandra Council of Social Services (Acoss) in the town this week.
Chairwoman Deirdre Jolly, of Alexandra, said some residents had difficulty accessing basic services in the town without a taxi service.
Mrs Jolly said some members of the Senior Citizens Club were assisted by volunteer drivers and certain church groups helped members, but there remained a "vacuum" for people without those contacts.
"A lot of elderly folk are stuck because their two main needs are health services and groceries, and there is no public transport service to take people to the doctor, hospital, or supermarket. It's important that if people need help they have someone to ask," she said.
Acoss members said a volunteer driver service needed to be established in the town.
Another possibility was linking a tourist shuttle service with those who needed transport to or from basic facilities.
Vincent Community Board chairwoman Clair Higginson said public transport was a responsibility of the Otago Regional Council, but the community board had previously provided funding for a bus service run by Promote Alexandra.
She said Acoss members should try asking the Central Otago District Council for assistance.
Three members volunteered to dedicate more time to the issue to try to find a solution.
