Benefits · Transportation
How to apply for Big Bend Transit — Gadsden County Door-to-Door Paratransit + Havana Express
Big Bend Transit, Inc. — independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit; designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program in Gadsden County (and Jefferson, Leon, Madison, Taylor, Gulf); door-to-door paratransit plus the Havana Express commuter route connecting Gadsden to the Tallahassee region
Who it's for
Big Bend Transit is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program across a six-county region: Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Madison, Taylor, and Gulf. Big Bend Transit operates door-to-door paratransit for people with disabilities, seniors, and low-income riders. Gadsden County service is six days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. — broader hours than most peer small-county paratransit operators. Fares: $2.00 one-way for a Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) eligible person anywhere in Gadsden, $5.00 one-way for General Public anywhere in Gadsden. Eligibility uses the Florida TD framework: age 60+ OR documented disability OR low-income transportation-disadvantaged status. The Havana Express is a fixed-route commuter service connecting Havana (Gadsden) directly to the Tallahassee region — meaningful for working seniors and seniors who need access to Leon County medical centers (Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Capital Regional Medical Center). Reservations for paratransit can be made by calling 850-627-9958 no later than 2:00 p.m. the day before the trip; online ride booking is also available for registered customers.
Big Bend Transit's six-day-a-week, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. service in Gadsden is broader hours than most peer small-county paratransit operators — including evening trips that allow seniors to attend appointments or family events without restrictive cutoffs. The two-tier fare ($2 TD vs $5 General Public) means TD-eligible seniors get a substantial discount; confirm TD eligibility at registration to lock in the lower fare. The Havana Express commuter route is a genuinely valuable option for Havana-area seniors needing reliable scheduled access to Tallahassee for medical care or specialty appointments. The 2:00 p.m. day-before reservation deadline is a real constraint — calls placed after 2 p.m. typically won't get a trip the next day. Online booking helps for registered customers who can plan ahead.
What you'll need
- Proof of age 60+ OR documented disability OR low-income TD eligibility (Medicare card, Florida ID, physician note, income documentation)
- Proof of Gadsden County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Completed Big Bend Transit / Florida TD eligibility application
- Advance reservation by 2:00 p.m. the day before the trip; online booking available for registered customers
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 850-627-9958
Renewals
periodic re-registration; rides scheduled per trip with advance booking
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.