StarMetro’s Ride Ready program offers public transit orientation and travel training to older adults, residents with disabilities, students, and other transportation dependent individuals in Florida’s Capital City, increasing access and independent mobility.

Ride Ready offers one-on-one or group sessions, which can include presentations, personalized travel plans, bus visits, and guided tours on active bus routes.

Upcoming Travel Training

This interactive training will demonstrate how to plan a trip, read maps and schedules, recognize bus stops, pay fares, practice rider safety, and more.

• Tuesday, Feb 4, 4 to 5 p.m.
  Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library, 2817 S. Adams St. | Program Room
• Tuesday, Feb 27, 6 to 7 p.m.
  Lake Jackson Branch Library, 3840 N. Monroe St. I Meeting Room
• Friday, Mar 14, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  Bruce J. Host Northeast Branch Library, 5513 Thomasville Rd I Meeting Room

Who can benefit from Ride Ready?

• Older Adults / Senior Citizens
• Residents with Disabilities
• K-12 Students
• Higher Education Students and Staff
• Transportation Dependent Individuals 
• New Residents
• All Riders

StarMetro wants everyone to be Ride Ready and is excited to help customers learn how to best navigate the transit system. This program could be especially beneficial for customers using Dial-A-Ride, STAR cards and Veterans Passes.

Why should you participate?

1. Navigating public transportation is an essential skill.
2. Participating does not impact eligibility for transportation assistance.
3. More transportation options lead to greater independence.

How much does it cost?

The Ride Ready program is a grant-funded service provided by StarMetro at no cost to participants.

Initial presentations and trainings are included. Additional rides may incur a cost depending on the population served but will likely include some discounted or fare-free options.

Group and Individual Services

Group Presentation or Bus Visit

Level 1: Transit Orientation

• Review available services
• Learn trip planning options
• Discuss bus features and safety tips
• Practice how to purchase and use bus fares

Group presentations are very flexible and can take place at a school, community room, transit center, or even through a virtual session. Presentations are individually tailored for each group and consider the audience’s learning levels and existing skills. This is a perfect fit for a community group, educational class, or families new to town. Large groups or events with 50 or more attendees may request a bus visit for a more hands-on learning experience.

Field Trip

Level 2: Hands-on Familiarization

• Learn to read and understand route maps
• Discover how to use partnering transit apps
• Discuss wayfinding and stop identification
• Practice boarding and riding the bus

A field trip or trainer ride-along is a fun icebreaker for customers who are unfamiliar with StarMetro vehicles and facilities. During these interactive sessions, the travel trainer accompanies a small group on the bus while demonstrating how to use transit and answering common questions. Suitable for 2 to 15 people.

Building Skills

Level 3: Individual Training

• Navigate pedestrian areas and crosswalks
• Learn transit etiquette and social skills
• Practice riding the bus with a mobility device
• Introduce a service animal to a fixed route or paratransit vehicle

Customers facing specific challenges may request travel training tailored to their individual needs and goals. For these specialized sessions, a certified travel trainer will first assess your existing skills and develop a plan to help you build on them. Individual training will generally include a travel plan, one-on-one instruction, and scheduled skill-building sessions to get you “Ride Ready.”

Start your travel training journey and get Ride Ready today!

If you don’t see a booking option that suits your needs, email TravelTraining@Talgov.com or call 850-891-5200 and request to speak to the Community Involvement Coordinator.

For group presentations and individual interviews, click the button below.

Things to keep in mind:

• Training may involve interacting with traffic, being subject to weather conditions, and riding the bus with people who are strangers. Riders must accept these risks to participate.
• StarMetro expects riders to follow the code of conduct and treat other passengers and StarMetro employees with respect. Any dangerous or harassing behavior may result in the suspension or cancellation of travel training.
• For more information on StarMetro services, Code of Conduct, and rider expectations, visit Rider Services.

AARP Community Challenge

The Ride Ready program was awarded a 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant. Read the full report to learn more: Ride Ready After-Action Report