Transportation Assistance Resources in Florida
Last updated September 12, 2026
Getting where you need to go — whether to a medical appointment, job interview, or grocery store — can be a serious barrier for many Floridians, especially those without a car, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Florida has several state-administered and federally supported programs designed to help bridge that gap, and knowing where to look is the first step.
One of the most important starting points is 2-1-1 Florida, a free, confidential helpline available 24/7 by dialing or texting 211. Specialists can connect you with local transportation resources in your specific county, including community volunteer driver programs, transit vouchers, and agency-coordinated rides that may not be widely advertised. Florida's 67 counties vary significantly in what's available locally, so a 2-1-1 call is often the fastest way to find what applies to your situation.
If you or someone you care for is elderly, living with a disability, or enrolled in Medicaid, there are dedicated programs that may cover transportation at little or no cost. Many of these are coordinated through Florida's regional agencies and require an enrollment step before you can schedule a ride, so it's worth setting things up before a need becomes urgent.
Key programs in Florida
Florida Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Covers rides to and from Medicaid-covered medical appointments — such as doctor visits, dialysis, and mental health services — for eligible Medicaid enrollees who have no other means of transportation. Ride types can include volunteer drivers, taxis, buses, or ambulatory vans depending on the enrollee's needs.
How to access: Contact your Medicaid managed care plan directly, as most Florida Medicaid recipients are enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO) that coordinates NEMT. You can also call the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) ACCESS line at 1-866-762-2237 or visit ACCESS Florida online to confirm your plan and request transportation coordination.
2-1-1 Florida
A statewide information and referral service that connects callers to local transportation assistance, including community ride programs, agency shuttles, transit discount programs, and emergency fuel or bus pass assistance. Because transportation resources are highly county-specific in Florida, 2-1-1 specialists can identify options that don't appear in statewide directories.
How to access: Dial or text 2-1-1 from anywhere in Florida, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also search online at 211florida.org. The service is free and available in multiple languages.
Eldercare Locator / Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
Florida's network of Area Agencies on Aging, coordinated through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, provides or arranges transportation services for older adults — including rides to medical appointments, senior centers, and essential errands. Programs vary by region but often include volunteer driver networks and coordinated transit options.
How to access: Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET) to be connected to your local AAA in Florida. You can also contact the Florida Department of Elder Affairs at 1-800-963-5337 or visit elderaffairs.org to find your regional agency.
Veterans Transportation Services (VA)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers transportation assistance to eligible veterans for travel to VA medical appointments. This includes the Beneficiary Travel program, which may reimburse mileage or provide van transportation, and VA Volunteer Transportation Networks operated at many Florida VA facilities.
How to access: Contact your nearest VA medical center in Florida directly — there are major facilities in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Gainesville, and Bay Pines, among others. You can also call the VA's national line at 1-800-827-1000 or visit va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay to learn about the Beneficiary Travel program.
Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD)
A state program that coordinates transportation for Floridians who are elderly, disabled, or low-income and cannot transport themselves. Each county has a Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) that arranges subsidized rides for eligible individuals who have no other transportation options.
How to access: Visit the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged at ctd.smarthc.com or call 1-800-983-2435 to find your county's Community Transportation Coordinator and learn how to apply. Eligibility and scheduling processes vary by county.
Transportation Assistance resources for Florida
211 Transportation Assistance
NationwideReferrals to local transportation and medical-ride programs. Dial 211.
Eldercare Locator — Transportation
NationwideConnects older adults and caregivers to local transportation services.
Free Charity Cars
NationwideThe Original 1-800-Charity Cars, 800CharityCars.org (Charity Cars, Inc. DBA: Free Charity Cars), non-profit car-donation / distribution program in the nation. Struggling families nationwide apply for a free charity car. MUST REAPPLY EVERY 3 MONTHS!
GoGo Grandparent
NationwideConnects seniors and people with disabilities to essential services. With just one phone call, you can order rides, groceries, meals, prescriptions, and even home help—without needing a smartphone or app.
National Aging & Disability Transportation Center
NationwideTransportation options and assistance for older adults and people with disabilities.
Progressive’s Keys to Progress®
NationwideAnnual vehicle‑giveaway program that provides about 100 donated cars each November to U.S. veterans, their families, and veteran‑focused organizations, with over 1,200 vehicles gifted since 2013. A nationwide veteran‑support initiative run by Progressive Insurance.
Other resources in Florida
- Housing Assistance in Florida
- Food Assistance in Florida
- Utility Assistance in Florida
- Funeral & End-of-Life Assistance in Florida
- Mental Health Resources in Florida
- Domestic Violence Resources in Florida
- Disability Resources in Florida
- Veteran Resources in Florida
- Child & Family Assistance in Florida
- Senior Resources in Florida