Benefits · Transportation
How to apply for Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) — Door-to-Door Paratransit (3-County Service Area)
Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) — public-transit authority providing demand-response paratransit for Columbia, Hamilton, AND Suwannee Counties; office at 1907 Voyles Street SW, Live Oak FL 32064; designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program
Who it's for
Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) is a public-transit authority providing demand-response paratransit for a THREE-COUNTY service area: Columbia, Hamilton, and Suwannee Counties — the same three-county region served by HCA Florida Lake City Hospital. SVTA's paratransit is door-to-door, requiring a telephone call to arrange service. Service is available Monday through Friday. To schedule transportation, call (386) 362-5332 or (386) 362-7433. For calls outside Suwannee County and from a landline, use the toll-free number 1-800-258-7267. Reservations must be made THREE BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE (excluding weekends and holidays) — a longer advance-booking requirement than most peer FL paratransit operators. Suwannee County does NOT operate a fixed-route public bus system — SVTA paratransit is the primary public-transit option. Eligibility uses the Florida TD framework: age 60+ OR documented disability OR low-income transportation-disadvantaged status. Trip purposes include non-emergency medical (commonly to HCA Florida Lake City Hospital under the 3-county FAP, or longer-distance trips to UF Health Shands in Gainesville), shopping, and other daily needs. For Medicaid-eligible riders, call your HMO provider directly to schedule Medicaid-funded transportation. SVTA office: 1907 Voyles Street SW, Live Oak.
SVTA's THREE-business-day advance reservation requirement is the LONGEST modeled in the FL catalog — most peer paratransit operators require 24-48 hours. Plan medical appointments accordingly; spontaneous trips are not feasible. SVTA covers Columbia, Hamilton, AND Suwannee Counties under one operator — meaning Suwannee residents can use SVTA to reach Lake City (Columbia County) for hospital care at HCA Florida Lake City Hospital. Service is M-F only; no weekend or holiday rides. The three-day advance booking and weekday-only service mean SVTA works best for scheduled medical appointments rather than urgent needs. For Medicaid-eligible riders, Medicaid NEMT through the patient's HMO is a separate pathway and often faster than SVTA for medical trips. Toll-free 1-800-258-7267 is available for landline callers outside Suwannee.
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 Suwannee County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Completed SVTA / Florida TD eligibility application
- Advance reservation: THREE business days in advance (excluding weekends and holidays)
- For Medicaid-funded NEMT: call Medicaid HMO directly, not SVTA
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 386-362-5332
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.