Program Eligibility
ACCESS LYNX provides transportation under various programs. Eligibility requirements vary by program. Program determination is based on verification of the written application and may also include professional verification and an in-person functional assessment. Your cooperation and flexibility will allow ACCESS LYNX to better serve you.
NOTICE: Effective January 1, 2022, LYNX will be utilizing a new eligibility application for all new and re-certifying applicants covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) program. Please review this important notice in English or Spanish.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires any public transportation system operating fixed route bus service to provide accessible transportation for disabled individuals by making all fixed route vehicles accessible to persons with disabilities and providing complementary ADA paratransit services for persons who are prevented from using the accessible fixed route service due to a disability. LYNX provides ADA paratransit services in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 37. ADA services are an unfunded federal mandate paid for by our local funding partners.
Program Guidelines
Fares
Trips where both the origin and destination fall within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed route bus alignment will have a fare of $4 per one-way passenger trip.
Trips where either the origin, destination, or both are outside of three-quarters of a mile of a fixed route bus alignment will have a fare of $7 per one-way passenger trip.
The reservationist will be able to tell you the fare for each trip when you make your reservation.
Children
There is no age limit for ADA eligibility. However, minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Additional Passengers
A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is a person designated or employed specifically to help the eligible ACCESS LYNX customer meet their personal needs. One PCA may travel with an eligible ACCESS LYNX customer at no charge. Eligible ACCESS LYNX customers must be pre-registered as needing a PCA.
A Companion is a person who travels with an eligible ACCESS LYNX customer but not in a care taking mode. Eligible ACCESS LYNX customers may travel with companions on a space available basis. Each companion will be charged the same fare as the eligible ACCESS LYNX customer.
Additional passengers must be traveling with the eligible ACCESS LYNX customer and have the same origin and destination.
Visitors
Customers that are ADA eligible with another transit provider may use ACCESS LYNX by providing documentation of their eligibility status prior to needing to travel. This same right applies to ACCESS LYNX customers traveling to other communities that offer complementary paratransit services.
Visitors who register with ADA providers may travel for any combination of 21 days during any 365-day period, beginning with the visitor’s first use of the service during such 365-day period.
For more information, see our Visitors Information page.
Passenger Coverage
ADA paratransit services are provided to both ambulatory and wheelchair customers. Please note wheelchair passenger limitations.
Service Area
Federal regulations require ACCESS LYNX to provide service when both the origin and destination of each trip is within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed route bus alignment. Our local jurisdictions have agreed to provide the additional funding required to provide ADA services to all origins and destinations within the three county service area of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
No trips are provided to origins or destinations outside of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) purchases Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation services for its beneficiaries who are eligible for transportation benefits when they are traveling to or from a Medicaid compensable service and have no other means to access the Medicaid compensable service.
Not all Medicaid beneficiaries are eligible for transportation benefits.
Program Guidelines
Fares
Medicaid trip fares are $1 for each one-way trip, unless the eligible Medicaid beneficiary is:
- Under 21 years of age,
- Under approved institutionalized care, or
- Under a maternity related program and traveling related to the pregnancy.
Children
An adult must accompany any child under age 15.
Additional Passengers
Medicaid eligible beneficiaries may travel with one escort or personal care attendant at no additional charge.
Additional passengers must be traveling with the eligible ACCESS LYNX customer and have the same origin and destination.
Passenger Coverage
Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation paratransit services are provided to both ambulatory and wheelchair customers. Please note wheelchair passenger limitations.
Stretcher services are provided by Medicaid with prior approval, when it is the most appropriate mode of travel.
Service Area
If you are traveling out of the tri-county Area (Orange, Seminole and Osceola’s counties) for Medicaid compensable appointments, your primary medical provider must send us a referral. In addition, the facility that you are traveling to must send us confirmation that they will be treating you. It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive both. Please contact the Eligibility Department for additional information at 407-423-8747, option 6 at least one week prior to your medical appointment.
The referring provider, and the out of town provider, may fax verification at least two business days prior of the day of service to the following fax number: 407-849-6759.
Morning appointments are required.
In-state areas traveled to:
- Hillsborough / Pinellas County - Tampa Area on Wednesdays
- Alachua County – Gainesville Area on Thursdays
- All Other Areas on Tuesdays
Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) customers are those who cannot access a fixed route bus service or obtain their own transportation due to disability, age, or income. It is a coordinated statewide effort to group customers together for a shared ride service. The state Transportation Disadvantaged grant that pays for trips in this category is funded by a $1.50 vehicle registration fee and voluntary donations.
Program Guidelines
Fares
Fares for the Transportation Disadvantaged program are based on how far the customer is traveling:
- Less than 5 miles = $2.50 each way,
- 5 miles but less than 10 miles = $3.50 each way,
- 10 miles or more = $4.50 each way.
Children
An adult must accompany any child under age 15.
Additional Passengers
Eligible ACCESS LYNX customers may travel with one companion who will be charged the same fare as the eligible customer.
Additional passengers must be traveling with the eligible ACCESS LYNX customer and have the same origin and destination.
Passenger Coverage
Transportation Disadvantaged paratransit services are provided to both ambulatory and wheelchair customers. Please note wheelchair passenger limitations.
Service Area
Transportation Disadvantaged service is provided to customers whose origin address and/or destination address is further than three-quarters of a mile from a fixed route bus alignment.
No service is provided if both the origin and destination are within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed route bus alignment.
No trips are provided to origins or destinations outside of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
Reservations
Since Transportation Disadvantaged is a limited ride program, reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, one day prior to the date service is needed.
TD trips are prioritized based on need:
- Critical Care Trips
- Other Medical Trips
- Employment Trips
- Educational Trips
- Other Trip Purposes