What is Paratransit?
BCT’s paratransit service is a shared-ride for persons with physical, cognitive, emotional, visual, or other disabilities which functionally prevent them from using the BCT fixed-route bus system permanently, temporarily or under certain conditions. The estimated travel time of a TOPS! trip is similar to the same trip, including transfers and walking time, of a fixed-route bus. The one-way fare per trip is $3.50 and must be paid to the driver upon boarding the vehicle. Passengers must have the exact fare since drivers do not make change.
Applicants applying for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transportation services must complete the application process to determine ADA eligibility. Every applicant should receive written notification of eligibility within 21 days of receipt of a completed application. If your eligibility determination is not made within 21 days of completing the application process, you will be able to use TOPS! until a determination is made. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact BCT Customer Service at 954-357-8400 to discuss the eligibility criteria and other Transportation OPtionS (TOPS!) available through the TOPS! program. Disability alone does not confirm eligibility for ADA Paratransit. An in-person functional assessment is required to complete the eligibility process.
Conditionally eligible ADA Paratransit riders with current/active eligibility may use the fixed-route service free of charge. For information on this program please call BCT Customer Service, 954-357-8400, Monday 6:00 a.m. through Saturday 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Download ADA Service Area Map (PDF)
Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Eligibility Criteria and TD Application
READ THIS NOTICE PRIOR TO DOWNLOADING APPLICATION:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective August 1, 2021
Due to changes in the TD grant that funds the Bus Pass Program, customers can only be issued
one (1) bus pass in a calendar month.
Returned, lost, stolen, or damaged bus passes will not be replaced.
Applicants seeking Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Paratransit or Bus Pass transportation services are encouraged to contact customer service at 954-357-8400 to discuss the eligibility criteria and other transportation options available through the TOPS! program.
TD-Paratransit eligibility criteria requires the applicant to qualify by disability and/or current Federal Poverty Level Guidelines at the 225 percent level. TD-Bus Pass eligibility is determined by income compliance with the current Federal Poverty Guidelines at the 225 percent level.
TD eligible recipients may receive bus passes via U.S. mail or in person at Government Center West only.
Download the following forms:
Additional Required Information for the Broward County TD Bus Pass Application.
If you are notified that you need to submit a "Lifetime Earnings Record" and a "Benefit Verification Statement" with your Broward County TD Bus Pass or TD Door to Door application, you may access both documents online from the Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov.
Hours of Operation
TOPS! service is available during BCT's fixed-route service time, which is from early AM until late PM. Staff is available to assist customers who would like to drop off, or have questions regarding applications or other documents in the office between 9 and 11AM and 2 and 4PM. Please make sure to bring your current/valid Florida Driver's License/ID. Application approvals and/or bus pass distribution are not available in-person. All approval letters and/or bus passes are distributed by USPS mail.
Holiday Hours
TOPS! is available from 6:45AM to 10:15PM on the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Standing orders are automatically canceled on these holidays. Riders who need service must make a trip reservation with the call center at 1-866-682-2258.
