Transportation Options For Seniors In Pasco County, Florida

Pasco County has a one number system. Call one of the numbers above with questions. Weekday bus service is available in West Pasco and East Pasco. Connections with Pinellas and Hillsborough transit buses are available. Pasco County provides door-to-door transportation service for the following: group dining sites, medical facilities, grocery shopping centers and other life sustaining destinations. The transportation is provided for the elderly and disabled. It is normally a group service. Individual trips - medical.

Advance notice: Three to five days. M-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Other days and hours can be arranged on a service fee basis. Trip reservations hours are from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Operates only in Pasco County based on availability of funding for buses to serve specific areas. No fee for age 60 and up for the elderly. Other criteria are determined by specific contract with outside agencies and groups. Donations are encouraged. Fees for special trips are determined by sponsor.

www.PascoCountyFl.net This is the Pasco County government web site. Select Departments followed by Public Transportation for fixed bus route maps and schedules.

Transportation Disadvantaged (TD)

Under Pasco County Public Transportation, Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) program, funded by the state, to provide low-cost transportation for those who qualify as "transportation disadvantaged". Service for medical, employment, grocery, banking, and education related to employment.

Advance notice: 24 hours. Para transit service provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Area served: Pasco County. Wheelchair equipped vans.
Eligibility and fees: Income criteria must be met, (Subject to change). Must have no means of transportation available including family and friends. For TD clients under age 65, a $2 fare (for a one-way trip) is due in cash at the time of the ride.

For application forms: call Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) (727) 834-3322. Since Pasco County has a one number system, the TD program is not a separate call.

American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345

Provides transportation for chemotherapy patients only. Offers education and prevention programs; patient services; support groups; and childhood cancer programs. Also, volunteer opportunities and community events.

Advance notice: Required (48-72 hours).
Fee: None.

Taxi Cabs:

Yellow Cab
(727) 843-0000 West Pasco
(352) 567-7777 East Pasco

Yellow cab has individual deposit accounts. You deposit $200, then billing begins 30 days after initial service.

Silver Streak
(727) 849-6477 West Pasco

Silver Streak Cab Co. has a deposit account. You deposit $500 and use a draw rather than paying for each individual fare.

Escorted Transportation and Related Services:

Bayshore Health and Homemaker Services, Inc.
(727) 939-0044

Provides transportation, errands, companionship, and home health services in West Pasco. Cases can be assessed & supervised by a Registered Nurse, but this may not be needed for simple transportation services. Apply by phone, M-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fee: If no hands-on care, a two-hour minimum of $18.25 each hour plus 35 cents each mile charged.

Home Instead Senior Care
(727) 845-5819

Errands, companionship and related transportation.

Fees: For Companion - $14.95 hour, Home helper - $15.95, and 35 cents a mile. Three-hour minimum. Vary according to service provided. Weekend rate same as weekday. Provides service to Pasco and south Hernando Counties.

Accessible Travelers Database:

Visit the Project Action web site, www.projectaction.org/paweb, for information related to disabled transit options available throughout the United States. Other accessible transportation services listed in the Accessible Traveler's Database include van rentals, travel agencies and shuttle services. For suggestions for persons traveling with someone who may become agitated or who needs physical assistance, select Accessible Transportation Topics followed by Transportation Solutions for Caregivers.

More Information:

For information about Florida's disabled parking program, driver assessment programs serving Florida's Pasco and Pinellas Counties, help for families concerned about drivers with dementia, and links to web sites with exercises to help older persons stay in physical and mental shape for driving, see the following articles on our web site:

The Four Stages of Caregiving, Stage One, section 7. Evaluate your care recipient's driving skills.
(under Alzheimer's section of For Caregivers) Driving and Dementia.
How Do I Enroll in Florida's Disabled Parking Program?

For more information about transportation providers serving Florida's Pasco and Pinellas Counties and listed with the Senior Helpline of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., use one of the resources for Information and Assistance listed below:

Run a search on Search for Community Resources on our web site.
Look up "Transportation - Aged/Disabled" and "Transportation - Medical" in the printed Senior Resource Directory.
Call The Senior Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER, (1-800-963-5337). For inquiries from outside of the area call 727-217-8111.

For information about transportation options in other parts of Florida or the United States, use one of the resources for Information and Assistance listed below:

Florida caregivers in other counties may call the toll-free state Elder Helpline number, 1-800-96ELDER (1-800-963-5337) to be connected to local elder helplines around the state.
Nationally, the Eldercare Locator provides the same type of link to local elder helplines. Call 1-800-677-1116 toll-free or visit the Eldercare Locator web site, www.eldercare.gov.