Boca Helping Hands Bus Pass Program

Among the wide array of services now available through Boca Helping Hands, the one that most flies under the radar perhaps is its Bus Pass Program. Under this cooperative program with Palm Tran, Boca Helping Hands sells monthly and daily bus passes at reduced prices to qualifying individuals through its Transportation Disadvantage (TD) Program. With several hundred active participants in the BHH database purchasing bus passes on a regular basis and an average of 75 passes sold each month, it’s a valuable program offered to the community.

Due to the high cost of car ownership, many in our community rely on public transportation. However, particularly for those who are in need, affording full price bus fares can be a challenge.  A regular monthly pass costs $70 and a single ride costs $3.  Through the TD Program, eligible individuals can purchase a monthly pass at the highly discounted rate of $15 or $20 (depending on income), or a daily pass for $1.50.

By distributing bus passes at our Boca Raton facility, local residents need not travel up to the main Palm Tran office in West Palm Beach to make their purchases.  Bus passes under the TD Program are distributed at our Boca Raton facility every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To qualify for the TD Program, participants’ annual income cannot exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. Once approved, participants’ eligibility is established for one year. In order to establish eligibility participants must bring two items:

• A photo ID
• Proof of income - either a current pay stub or a social security print out (form SEQY). 

The Bus Pass Program is administered through Boca Helping Hands Resource Center. If you’re interested in receiving discounted bus passes, please feel free to come in on any Tuesday morning (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) and ask to talk to the “Bus Pass guys.” A member of the three person team (Steve Fishman, Mike Genick and Howard Cohen) will be available to distribute passes and answer any questions you may have.