Can I get help affording a car?

Some community action agencies and programs like Ways to Work, Wheels to Work, or Good News Garage offer low-interest loans or donated vehicles to working parents. Eligibility typically requires employment or training and income under a threshold. Waitlists can be long.

What is Medicaid NEMT?

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — Medicaid must cover rides to and from covered medical appointments at no cost. Call the transportation number on the back of your Medicaid card to schedule. Rides must be arranged in advance (usually 2–3 business days).

Are there reduced-fare transit options?

Most transit agencies offer reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, and Medicaid enrollees. TANF and some workforce programs include transit passes. Some employers subsidize transit through pre-tax benefits. Contact your local transit authority for eligibility.

What if I live in a rural area with no bus?

Dial-a-ride services, volunteer driver programs through Area Agencies on Aging, rural transit partnerships, and Medicaid NEMT serve rural residents. Community action agencies coordinate much of this. Call 211 for a local referral.

Transportation in Alabama

16 verified resources.

About Transportation for Fathers

Transportation assistance helps fathers get to work, court, medical appointments, and childcare. Public transit passes are often available free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and social service agencies. Many job training programs cover bus passes. The Ways to Work program and some community action agencies provide low-interest car loans to working parents. State DMVs typically require proof of insurance and current registration; low-cost insurance programs exist for low-income drivers in several states (California's Low Cost Auto Insurance is one example). For rural fathers without reliable transit, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs are coordinated through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. Medicaid NEMT covers rides to covered medical visits at no cost. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance programs.

Transportation in Alabama

Alabama family law runs through circuit courts in each of its 67 counties, with the Alabama Department of Human Resources handling child support enforcement. Major population centers include Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville. Fathers can access free family court help through the Alabama Access to Justice Commission and Legal Services Alabama.

16 Resources

1. Birmingham Transit Authority (MAX) — Paid

Public bus system serving the Birmingham metro area, including routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes available; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips online or at the Rev Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard transit center. Buses operate Mon-Sat 5am-9pm on varying routes; route maps and schedules online.

205-521-0101 · 2121 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203 · Mon-Sat 5am-9pm

2. Montgomery Area Transit System (MATS) — Paid

Public bus service in the Montgomery area offering routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips online or at the North McDonough Street terminal. Buses operate Mon-Sat 5:30am-6:30pm on varying routes; route maps, schedules, and fare information available online.

334-262-7321 · 533 N McDonough St, Montgomery, AL 36104 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-6:30pm

3. The Wave Transit – Mobile — Paid

Public bus service for the Mobile area, including routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes available; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips online or at the Virginia Street Mobile terminal. Buses operate Mon-Sat 5am-7pm on varying routes; route maps, schedules, and fare information available at thewavetransit.com.

251-344-6600 · 1150 Virginia St, Mobile, AL 36604 · Mon-Sat 5am-7pm · Visit Website

4. Huntsville Transit — Paid

Public bus service for the Huntsville area offering routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips through the city website or at the Seminole Drive transit facility. Buses operate Mon-Fri 5:30am-6:30pm on varying routes; route maps, schedules, and fare details available online.

256-427-6800 · 128 Seminole Dr, Huntsville, AL 35805 · Mon-Fri 5:30am-6:30pm · Visit Website

5. Alabama Department of Transportation – Rural Transit — Free

State rural transit programs connecting small Alabama communities with employment, medical care, and essential services for fathers and families. Programs are operated by local providers funded through ALDOT; fares vary by provider and route. Dads can find local rural transit through the ALDOT transit page or by calling the Coliseum Boulevard Montgomery office. Services are typically low-cost or free for qualifying riders. Office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

334-242-6311 · 1409 Coliseum Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36110 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Tuscaloosa Transit Authority — Paid

Public bus service serving Tuscaloosa and Northport including routes to employment, schools, and medical facilities for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips online or at the 23rd Avenue terminal. Buses operate Mon-Sat 5:30am-6:30pm on varying routes; route maps, schedules, and fare information available online via the city website.

205-345-7585 · 601 23rd Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-6:30pm · Visit Website

7. ClasTran – Jefferson County — Paid

Paratransit and demand-response transit in Jefferson County serving seniors, disabled residents, and rural fathers and families without access to fixed-route buses. Trips must typically be scheduled in advance; fares apply with discounts for eligible riders. Dads can call to register and schedule rides; ADA riders require eligibility documentation. Office on Cortland Avenue open Mon-Fri 5am-9pm for scheduling, with service hours varying by trip type.

205-251-0306 · 420 Cortland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35213 · Mon-Fri 5am-9pm · Visit Website

8. Lee-Russell Public Transit (LRPT) — Paid

Public transit serving the Auburn-Opelika area with routes and demand-response service for fathers and families needing transportation to work, school, and medical appointments. Fares apply per ride with discounts for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips or schedule demand-response service by phone; office on Gateway Drive in Opelika. Buses operate Mon-Fri 6am-6pm with schedules and fares posted at lrcog.com.

334-749-5568 · 2207 Gateway Dr, Opelika, AL 36801 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

9. Wiregrass Transit Authority – Dothan — Paid

Public bus service for the Dothan-Wiregrass area offering routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips through the city website or at the North Foster Street Dothan facility. Buses operate Mon-Fri 6am-6pm on varying routes with route maps and schedule information online.

334-794-1519 · 210 N Foster St, Dothan, AL 36303 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

10. Decatur Transit System — Paid

Public transportation serving the Decatur area with routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes available; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips by calling or visiting the Lee Street NE transit office. Buses typically operate Mon-Fri 6am-6pm on varying routes; route maps, schedules, and fare information posted locally.

256-341-4840 · 402 Lee St NE, Decatur, AL 35601 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

11. Gadsden Transit — Paid

Public bus service for the Gadsden area offering routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips through the city of Gadsden website or at the Locust Street transit facility. Buses operate Mon-Fri 6am-6pm on varying routes; route maps and schedule information available online.

256-549-4575 · 90 Locust St, Gadsden, AL 35901 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

12. Anniston Transit — Paid

Public transportation for the Anniston-Oxford area offering routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips through the city of Anniston website or at the Gurnee Avenue transit office. Buses operate Mon-Fri 6am-6pm on varying routes; route maps and schedule information available online.

256-231-7605 · 1128 Gurnee Ave, Anniston, AL 36201 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

13. Shoals Area Transit – Florence — Paid

Public transit for the Florence-Muscle Shoals area offering routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes available; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips by calling or visiting the North Seminary Street Florence office. Buses typically operate Mon-Fri 6am-6pm on varying routes; route maps and schedule information posted locally.

256-760-6529 · 310 N Seminary St, Florence, AL 35630 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

14. Greyhound – Alabama Stations — Paid

Intercity bus service connecting Alabama cities including Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville with destinations nationwide, supporting fathers traveling for work, family, or relocation. Fares vary by route and booking time; tickets purchased online, by phone, or at stations. Dads can check schedules and book at greyhound.com; valid photo ID required for travel. Stations operate with varying hours; customer service available 24/7 by phone.

800-231-2222 · Varies by station · Visit Website

15. Amtrak Crescent – Alabama Stops — Paid

Amtrak Crescent rail service connecting Alabama with stops in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Anniston, offering overnight travel for fathers and families between New York and New Orleans. Fares vary by route and advance purchase; tickets available online, by phone, or at stations. Dads can check schedules at amtrak.com; valid photo ID required for travel. The Birmingham Morris Avenue station operates on Amtrak arrival and departure schedules.

800-872-7245 · 1819 Morris Ave, Birmingham, AL 35203 · Varies by schedule

16. Selma Transit — Paid

Public transit service for the Selma area offering routes to employment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping for fathers and families. Fares apply per ride with discounted passes available; reduced fares for seniors, students, and disabled riders with valid ID. Dads can plan trips by calling or visiting the Broad Street transit office. Buses typically operate Mon-Fri 6am-6pm on varying routes; route maps and schedule information posted locally and available by phone.

334-874-2280 · 222 Broad St, Selma, AL 36701 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

Transportation — Common Questions

Can I get help affording a car?: Some community action agencies and programs like Ways to Work, Wheels to Work, or Good News Garage offer low-interest loans or donated vehicles to working parents. Eligibility typically requires employment or training and income under a threshold. Waitlists can be long.
What is Medicaid NEMT?: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — Medicaid must cover rides to and from covered medical appointments at no cost. Call the transportation number on the back of your Medicaid card to schedule. Rides must be arranged in advance (usually 2–3 business days).
Are there reduced-fare transit options?: Most transit agencies offer reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, and Medicaid enrollees. TANF and some workforce programs include transit passes. Some employers subsidize transit through pre-tax benefits. Contact your local transit authority for eligibility.
What if I live in a rural area with no bus?: Dial-a-ride services, volunteer driver programs through Area Agencies on Aging, rural transit partnerships, and Medicaid NEMT serve rural residents. Community action agencies coordinate much of this. Call 211 for a local referral.