Emergency Evacuation

In cases of uncontrollable emergencies, Votran is placed under the direct control of Volusia County Emergency Management and follows the directions of the established Emergency Management Plan. These emergencies typically are due to tropical storms and hurricanes, but Votran can be called upon to assist during other large scale emergencies, such as flooding or fires.

What will happen during a hurricane evacuation for Fixed-Route Service?

Once an evacuation order has been given, you should know the following information:

• Fare collection will be suspended.
• All bus stops are evacuation assembly points.
• Once at a Votran transfer facility, evacuees will then transfer to either a school bus or another Votran bus for transportation to a shelter.
• All buses are removed from the roads when winds are sustained at 35mph.
• Service information (detours, route/service suspensions) will be announced on Votran's Real-Time Info website & app, and on the Volusia County Public Information Network website.

After the Storm, for Fixed-Route Service

• Officials will inspect roadways to determine what roads are safe for operating. Once the all clear has been given, buses will begin operating. Please know that buses may not follow their regular schedule in the intial time after the storm. Regular service may not resume for some time after the storm passes, depending on conditions. Votran will operate to the extent that conditions allow.
• Transportation from shelters will work in reverse from the evacuation. School buses or Votran buses will pick up evacuees from the shelters and transport them to Votran transfer points. 
• Evacuees can then board a Votran bus for transportation back to the closest stop to their home.
• Fare collection will remain suspended during the return from an evacuation.
• Votran employees can assist evacuees in boarding the correct bus, if they are not familiar with the route network.
• Service information (detours, route/service restorations) will be announced on Votran's Real-Time Info website & app, and on the Volusia County Public Information Network website.

Special Needs Evacuations

For PSN (People with Special Needs) evacuations, Votran Gold Service buses are dispatched to pick up passengers and take them to the Special Needs Shelters (SNS), then return them home when the emergency is over. Fares will not be charged for evacuation services. It is highly recommended to pre-register for special needs shelters.  You can get information and registration forms by clicking on the link below, which will take you to the Volusia County Emergency Management website.

All vehicles are removed from roads when winds are sustained at 35 mph.

After the storm and once a PSN's home has been determined safe, Votran Gold Service buses will be dispatched to the shelter to pick up the evacuee and return them home. Fares will not be charged for evacuation services.

Click here for Volusia County Emergency Management information.