A new hackney pilot scheme has been launched across the Shannonside region to support rural transport.
The subsidized service would cover 21 locations including two local areas where no current full time service exists.
All drivers will be licensed, insured and Garda vetted and will be able to pick people up from their doors to drop them to where they want to go.
The pilot will cover Ballinalee in County Longford and Elphin in Roscommon and will see the service monitored over the first year.
The National Transport Authority is now seeking applicants for drivers, with the deadline closing at the end of February for submissions.
The initiative will operate on a pre-booked basis, with hackneys able to pick up passengers within a designated area of 7 to 10km from a chosen point, with the drop off point having no restrictions.
