Transportation Options in Pinellas County

Transportation is a service that is important for seniors, especially those who do not drive. Although it is a needed service, it is one with limited resources that are no cost or low cost.

This page lists government funded programs, non-profit agencies, and for-profit businesses that provide transportation. There are also businesses who are licensed to provide homemaker, companion, or home health aid services and their staff can provide transportation for an hourly fee.

For more assistance please call the Senior Helpline at 727-217-8111 or 1-800-861-8111.

Public and Funded Transportation

Demand Response DIAL-A- RIDE Transit (DART)

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) offers this specialized
transportation for qualified disabled passengers who are unable to use the
regular bus service. Application &
reservations are required.

Information: (727) 540- 1800 or go to www.psta.net/demandresponse.htm

Application: Applications are available by calling the information number above or are available on-line in Adobe format at www.psta.net/demandresponse.htm. Select "Download a DART application" near the top of the page. The on-line application can be printed, completed, signed and submitted by mail to PSTA/DART.

Reservations: (for approved applicants only) (727) 724- 0440

Fees: $3.00 per ride: multi-ride punch cards available for Pinellas County.

Days and Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. Reservations may be made Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riders must call no later than 5 p.m. on the day before the trip.

EZ Ride - A membership transportation service

727-573-9444, ext. 333
Or call toll free:1-888-rides09

http://www.neighborly.org/EZride/tabid/207/language/en-US/Default.aspx

A project of Neighborly Care Network, this service is available to people who are 55 and older and/or disabled persons who live within the city limits of Clearwater and Dunedin. The program uses both volunteers and paid staff to provide transportation to any type of destination.

Area Served: Currently serves the cities of Clearwater and Dunedin. The program plans to expand to other surrounding areas over time.

Fees: There is an annual membership fee, plus each trip includes a pick up fee and a rate per mile. The program accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit/debit cards, checks, money orders, and/or cash.

Days and hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Advance Notice: 48 hours before transportation is needed

Faith In Action Upper Pinellas

(727) 738- 4307 (Initial calls after approval require 1 week?s notice.)

Transportation north of Ulmerton Road to medical appointments, grocery, beauty shop, pharmacy, etc. by volunteers who are part of a faith-based organization. (Note: more volunteers are needed. For more information and an online application for volunteers, visit the Faith In Action Upper Pinellas web site, www.fiaup.org.)

Fees: None, but donations accepted.

Advance notice: 5 days.

Days and Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Transportation can be arranged 7 days/week pending available volunteers.

Serves: Pinellas County (north of Ulmerton Road).

Must first be registered for the program. As of February 2007, registration requires an in-home assessment by appointment, and generally there is a long wait for this initial appointment. Beginning March 2007, registration will be done via application mailed to applicant, rather than in-home assessment. After you are accepted and registered, you must give a five business-day notice.

GEMS Gulfport

(727) 893- 1000 Administration, (727) 893- 2242 Appointment

GEMS is door-to-door transportation program. Transportation must originate in the City of Gulfport and is for Gulfport residents only. Goes to hospitals, including St. Anthony, Bayfront, Ed White and USF. Also trips to Target on Park St. and Walmart at Tyrone. Offers 2 programs: annual subscribers and pay as you go.

Fees:

Annual Subscriber-$120 per year. This fee can be broken down into two payments as follows: $80.00 for the first six months and $40.00 for the second six months. Or-

Pay As You Go service - $6.00 round trip.

Advance notice: Registration and appointments are necessary. Appointments must be made no later than 12 noon the day prior to transportation, per schedule below.

Days and hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pickup times are 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m.

Neighborly Care Network Transportation Services

Administration (727) 571- 4384, Trip Reservations for registered clients M-F 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Provides specialized transportation services for individuals age 60 or older who are residents of Pinellas County and have no other viable means of transportation available to them. Clients must register by telephone prior to scheduling service. Provides transportation to nutrition sites and adult day care centers. Individuals can get door-to-door transportation to medical appointments that are within 10 miles of their home with pickups between 9 AM and 2:30 PM only. Seven days advanced scheduling is required. Services are based on the availability of funds. Cost depends on funding source. Contributions are accepted. Group transportation is available from set locations to shopping centers.

Eligibility and fees: No fee for age 60 and up and/or transportation disadvantaged. Other criteria are determined by specific contracts with outside agencies and groups. Donations are encouraged for grant-funded trips. Special trip fees are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Advance notice: 7 days.

Days and Hours: Pick-up Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for medical appointments; 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for all others. Other days can be arranged on a per-service fee basis. Registrations are taken between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Area served: Pinellas County, based on availability of funding. Medical trips within a ten-mile radius of pick-up.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)

(727) 530-1900 Info line for passenger schedules and route changes. Fixed bus route.

Older adults (65 and over) can save 50% or more on the regular cash fare with a Senior Special Citizen Photo ID, or use a reduced-fare Daily or 31-Day Unlimited Ride GO Card. Cards are available at any PSTA bus terminal or select ticket outlet. Senior Special Citizen ID is not required for Medicare cardholders who present their card to the driver upon boarding. Call the PSTA InfoLine seven days a week and most holidays for route and schedule information. Ask about learning how to use the bus (Show me Service).

Fees: $ .75 cash; $1.75 Daily GO Card; $30.00 for a 31-Day GO Card. All require PSTA-issued ID.

Days and hours: 5 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week.

Serves: Pinellas County.

www.psta.net/ Web site has bus routes and information.

PSTA Suncoast Beach Trolley

(727) 540-1900

PSTA?s Suncoast Beach Trolley provides transportation along Gulf Boulevard from Clearwater Beach to Pass-A-Grille, with bus connections to downtown St. Pete. Trolleys are wheelchair accessible.

Fees: Same as above bus fares.

Days and hours: Picks up at special trolley stops every 20-30 minutes from 5:05 a.m. to 10:10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, including holidays; 5:05 a.m. until midnight Friday and Saturday..

www.psta.net/beachtrolley.htm has routes and information.

Transportation Disadvantaged through MPO/Medicaid Transportation

Call Community Transportation Service for application: (727) 545- 2100

State-funded, provides transportation through the MPO. Individuals residing in Pinellas County must qualify as ?transportation disadvantaged.? Service for: medical, employment, grocery, banking, and education related to employment.

Eligibility: Income must not exceed $1,595 per month for one and $2,138 per month for two (income requirements subject to change). Must have no transportation, including family and friends.

Fees:

Eligible individuals can receive a 31-day unlimited bus pass (GO CARD). The cost is $4.20 a month for transportation anywhere a PSTA bus goes. With Medicare Card, it is $1.00/month. First method of transportation offered is the bus. For those requiring alternative to bus, i.e. taxi or minivan, fare is $3.00 each way. Fares must be paid in cash at the time of the ride. Note: Medicare recipients can pay in advance for future months and are encouraged to send funds for up to 12 months at a time to assure availability of transportation.

Advance notice: 3 business days.

Days and hours: Paratransit provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Area served: Demand response in Pinellas County provided by taxi sedans/minivans. Wheelchair equipped vans are provided for the handicapped.

For application forms call: Community Transportation Services (727) 545-2100.

Medical Transportation

American Cancer Society

1-800- 227- 2345

Provides transportation for registered clients to chemotherapy, radiation, or other cancer treatment appointments only. Client must be ambulatory. Will not go from one county to another for appointments, i.e. not from Tampa to St. Petersburg.

Eligibility and fees: Individual must be ambulatory. Free

Advance notice: 3 business days

The following hospitals offer free transportation for outpatient appointments at their facilities. Transportation is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance notice is required.

Mease Dunedin & Mease Countryside

(727) 734- 6107

Care Van provides transportation to Mease facilities, East Lake Outpatient Center at Tampa Rd. & U.S. 19, Palm Harbor Outpatient Center at Curlew and U.S. 19, and the Wellness Center at Tampa Rd. and U.S. 19 for rehab. purposes. They will not provide transportation for someone to go work out.

Services provided on first-come, first-served basis. Boundaries are Alderman to the North, Sunset Point to the South, and East Lake Corridor up to, but not into Ridgemoor. Must be able to take 2 steps into a van. Cannot transport wheelchairs.

Fees: None

Days and Hours: 8: 00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Morton Plant (Clearwater)

(727) 461- 8548

Care Van provides transportation to Morton Plant for outpatient appointments at that facility. Borders are Top of the World/Union St. on the North to 8^th Ave. in Largo on the South. Must be able to take 2 steps into a van. Cannot transport wheelchairs.

Fees: None.

Days and Hours: 8: 00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sun Coast

(727) 581- 9474

Must be an outpatient at this facility. Transportation is scheduled directly by the department scheduling the appointment for the client. No wheelchair transport.

Supplemental Transportation

Care Ride, LLC. Wheelchair Transportation Service

Private Pay (727) 866- 1193, Medicaid (727) 545- 2100

Fees: $19.95 base plus $3.00 gas surcharge each way and $2.85 per mile.

Advance notice: One hour. More if early morning transportation is requested.

Days and hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 Days a week. Other times if trip is prescheduled.

Area Served: All of Florida (must originate in Pinellas).

VIP Wheelchair Transport, Inc.

(727) 530- 3181

Medicaid, Private pay, Workers comp., Hospice, Vocational rehab, and Transportation disadvantaged. (Medical provider ? Evercare)

Fees: $19.50 base plus $2.50 gas surcharge each way and $2.35 per mile

Advance Notice: 24 hours preferred.

Days and hours: 5:30 a.m. a.m. to 6: 30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sundays and other trips by appointment.

Wheelchair Transport Service

(727) 586-2811

Fees: $19.00 base plus $2.00 gas surcharge each way and $1.90 per mile. Call for discharge rates (hospital or other facility to home) and medichair rates. Accept cash, check and credit card. If service is not paid at the time of transport and company bills, fees are higher.

Advance Notice: By 5 p.m. the day prior to transport.

Days and Hours: 24 hours/day 7 days/week.

Area Served: Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee. If travel begins in one of these counties, can transport anywhere.

Taxi Cabs

Bats Taxi

(727) 367-3702

$2.50 per drop plus $2.10 per mile. Operates 7 days/week, 24 hours/day. Pick up area is south of Ulmerton Rd. Can drop anywhere.

United Cab

(727) 535-0000

$1.75 base plus $1.00 gas surcharge per drop, plus $2.00 per mile. Operates 7 days/week, 24 hours/day.

Yellow Cab

(727) 821- 7777 ? St. Pete. (727) 799- 2222 - Clearwater

$2.25 base plus $0.50 gas surcharge per drop, plus $2.00 per mile. Wait fee is $0.90 per minute. Operates 7 days/week, 24 hours/day.

Look in phone book for other taxi services and call for rates. Also check limousine services, airport shuttles, etc.

Transportation with Escort through For Profit Businesses

Ageless Placements, Inc.

(727) 797-8580

Escorts to and from appointments, shopping, and errands. Provides any service necessary to run a household. Ala Carte services available. Chose any services offered to meet individual needs.

Fees: $15.95 per hour for 2-4 hours (2 hour minimum); $14.95 per hour for 4 hours or more, plus $0.41 per mile from and back to home.

Advance Notice: 24 hours preferred. Can do demand response.

Days and hours: Office-9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hour calls are forwarded to cell phones to accommodate client needs. Services are available 24 hours a day. Can accommodate fold up wheelchair. Client must be able to transfer.

Area served: Pinellas County.

Always Dependable

(727) 544-2927

Escorts to and from medical appointments, pharmacy, grocery, etc.

Fees:$24.00/hour for 2 hours or less; $18.00/hour for more than 2 hours, plus $0.36/mile if using companions car.

Days and hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Eligibility: Must be client of Always Dependable. Can transport fold up wheelchair. Client must be able to transfer.

Bayshore Health & Homemaker Services, Inc.

Largo-(727) 586- 0044-; St. Petersburg-(727) 322- 2366;

Holiday-(727) 939-0044

Transportation, errands, companionship. Cases can be assessed and supervised by a nurse, but this may not be needed for simple transportation services.

Fees: If no hands-on care, charges are $20.95 per hour for 2-4 hrs. (2 hr. minimum); $17.95 per hour for 4+ hrs., plus $0.40 per mile.

Advance notice: Apply by phone 1-2 days in advance.

Days and hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (open 24 hrs. for emergency use only)

Area served: Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough counties. St. Pete phone number serves from the Sunshine Skyway North to Ulmerton Rd; Largo phone number serves Ulmerton Rd. North to Curlew; Holiday phone number serves from Curlew Rd. North and Pasco County.

Caregivers for Seniors, Inc.

(727) 524-7972 Pinellas (727) 945-1319 Pasco

Provides escorted transportation to appointments, grocery shopping, errands, entertainment, beauty salons, etc. Will stay with client at doctor appointments, etc. Initial assessment is required prior to caregiver assignment. Also provide short- and long-term home companions for assistance with meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, medication management, and pet care. All caregivers are older adults.

Fees: $12.00 per hour (minimum of 12 hrs. per week), plus $0.42 ? /mile.

Advance notice: At least one week (less notice required in some cases)

Area Served: Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

Eligibility: Must be client of Caregivers for Seniors contracting for other services as well. Cannot just get transportation services.

Home Health Works

(727) 442-5612 or 1-888-449-2767

Companion/homemaker and Home Health Aide. Supervised transportation and a companion to grocery, shopping, and doctor.

Fees: $16.75 per hour for companion service; $17.75 per hour for aide service (weekend prices slightly more) Additional $0.50/mile charge applies if using companion?s vehicle. No mileage charge applies if using client?s vehicle. Three-hour minimum. Can transportation fold up wheelchair. Client must be able to transfer.

Advance Notice: At least 24 hours.

Days and hours: 24 hours per day/7 days per week/on-call service available. Office hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Through Friday.

Area served: Pinellas and Pasco Counties

Home Helpers

(727) 797-4700

Companion, housekeeping services and transportation to medical appointments/pharmacy. Can also arrange shopping, life sustaining on a case-by-case basis, but may have a minimum number of hours charged.

Fees: One hour $25.00; 2-3 hours $18.00 per hour. Plus $0.44/mile if using companion?s car. Can transport foldup wheelchair. Client must be able to transfer.

Advance Notice: At least 24 hours.

Days and hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or by arrangement of special hours.

Area Served: Pinellas and South Pasco from South St. Pete to New Port Richey.

Rent A Hand

(727) 347-3424

Provides escorted transportation to medical, pharmacy, grocery and other life sustaining sites.

Fees: $22.00 for the first hour; $10.00 for second hour.

Advance Notice: At least 24 hours.

Days and hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Area served: South Pinellas County (South of Gulf to Bay).

Utopia Home Care

(727) 821-3332

Provides Chore, companion, errand, personal care and transportation services. Transportation can be provided to medical, pharmacy, grocery, and other destinations.

Fees: $18.50/hour

Advance Notice: At least 24 hours.

Days and hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 Monday through Friday

Area Served: All of Pinellas county.

Victoria's Tender Care

(727) 544-4992

Provides homemaker, companion, relocation and escorted transportation and travel services.

Fees: $25.00 for the first hour; $15.00/hour for each subsequent hour, plus gas surcharge as follows: $5.00 within 8 miles, $10.00 outside of 8 miles. This company can transport to Tampa and outside Pinellas County and offers services to transport anywhere in the state or to fly with a client out of state. Call for these rates. Can accompany fold up wheelchair if client can transfer to vehicle.

Advance Notice: As far in advance as possible to guarantee transportation is available.

Days and hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Other hours can be arranged.

Area Served: Originate in Pinellas County and can travel anywhere.

Visiting Angels

North Pinellas/West Pasco (727)787-3033

South Pinellas (727) 797-8600

Must be a client of Visiting Angels. Cannot get just transportation. Call for current transportation rates.

More Information

For information about accessible travel, driving and dementia, Florida's disabled parking program, and exercises to stay in mental and physical shape for driving, visit the Web sites below:

• Accessible Travelers' Database: http://projectaction.easterseals.com/. Easter Seal?s Project Action Accessible Travelers Database lists providers of accessible transportation services throughout the U.S. Includes public transit and private bus companies, van rentals, travel agencies, shuttle services, etc. If planning to travel with someone who may become agitated or who needs physical assistance, select "Technical Assistance" followed by "Transportation Solutions for Caregivers" for ideas.

• AgingCareFL: www.agingcarefl.org. This is the Web site of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. It was developed as part of the Caregivers REST Project. On this site, select "The Four Stages of Caregiving", Stage One, section 7.Driving Evaluation.

• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: www.hsmv.state.fl.us. On the home page, select ?On-line Forms? followed by "Report a Driver" (form anyone can use to report a medically-impaired driver ? located at the bottom of the Web page) or "Disabled Parking Placard" (application for parking permit for eligible persons with a disability).

• The Hartford Alzheimer's: www.thehartford.com/alzheimers. This site helps caregivers of those with Alzheimer's with driving issues. A publication called At the Crossroads: A Practical Guide to Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Driving is available online or you can order a copy. Click "At the Crossroads" to access the brochure, which includes the "Warning Signs Worksheet" and the "Agreement With My Family About Driving" forms.
• Senior Drivers: www.seniordrivers.org. Created by The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, this site provides exercises and refresher tips in a choice of Web page or video format to help older drivers stay in shape for driving.
• USAA Insurance Company Educational Foundation www.usaaedfoundation.com. This site offers self-tests and driving tips, information on transportation options after giving up driving, and a booklet called Driving Safely While Aging Gracefully. On the home page, select ?Order Booklets? to get a printed copy or "Safety" to view online.
• AARP Driver Safety: http://www.aarp.org/. Locate an AARP Driver Safety Program near you, or take online course. The site provides information pertinent to older drivers. You can also take an online quiz to determine if your driving skills need improvement. On home page, click on "Family, Home & Legal", then "Driver Safety".

For more information about transportation providers serving Florida?s Pasco and Pinellas Counties,call the Senior Helpline of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. at 727-217-8111 or 1-800-861-8111 in Pasco County.

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 across the U.S. Call toll-free at 1-800-677-1116 or visit the Eldercare Locator Web site, www.eldercare.gov.

Updated March 2008

Copyright 2005 by the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. (AAAPP). This document may be reprinted as shown here by non-profit organizations with permission from AAAPP. It may not be used for profit-making purposes.