Benefits · Transportation
How to apply for Suwannee River Economic Council Transportation — Door-to-Door Paratransit (Gilchrist Coverage)
Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. (SREC) Transportation Department — 501(c)(3) nonprofit; designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program in Gilchrist, Dixie, and Lafayette Counties; demand-response paratransit funded by FDOT, the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, and Medicaid HMOs
Who it's for
Suwannee River Economic Council (SREC) Transportation Department serves as the designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Gilchrist County (along with Dixie and Lafayette) under the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program. SREC Transportation provides demand-response, door-to-door paratransit for elderly and disadvantaged residents — transportation to doctors' offices, medical facilities, meal sites at the Tri County Council for Senior Citizens, drug stores, and shopping. Funding sources include the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, and Medicaid HMOs. Eligibility uses the Florida TD framework: age 60+ OR documented disability OR low-income transportation-disadvantaged status. Gilchrist County has NO fixed-route public bus system — SREC Transportation paratransit is the primary mobility option. For non-emergency medical care, SREC Transportation can connect Gilchrist seniors to UF Health Shands in Gainesville (about 30-45 minutes east, since Gilchrist borders Alachua County). For Medicaid-eligible riders, the Medicaid HMO funding pathway means rides can be accessed through the patient's HMO directly. Apply for reservations by calling 352-498-5018 extension 3 or 1-844-496-0624. Note: SREC Transportation in Gilchrist is STRUCTURALLY DISTINCT from SREC's 4-county AAA delivery model — SREC delivers transit in Gilchrist but NOT meals (meals are delivered by Tri County Council for Senior Citizens, fl.gilchrist.tccsc_meals).
Gilchrist County has NO fixed-route public bus system AND NO acute-care hospital — SREC Transportation is the primary local mobility option, and reliable access to UF Health Shands or HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville (about 30-45 minutes east) is a healthcare-access issue. Gilchrist's proximity to Gainesville (Alachua County border) means cross-county medical trips are shorter than for Dixie or Lafayette seniors. The Medicaid HMO funding pathway means Medicaid-eligible riders can access transit through their HMO rather than the TD pathway. Service is demand-response with advance reservation; same-day rides are typically not available. STRUCTURAL NOTE: SREC handles transit but NOT meals in Gilchrist — meals are delivered by Tri County Council for Senior Citizens (TCCSC). Seniors coordinating multiple services may need to call both SREC (352-498-5018) and TCCSC (352-463-3160) depending on need.
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 Gilchrist County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Completed SREC Transportation / Florida TD eligibility application
- Advance reservation required (call 352-498-5018 ext 3 or 1-844-496-0624)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 352-498-5018
Renewals
periodic re-registration; rides scheduled per trip with advance booking
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Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.