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 Alaska

12 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 Alaska

Alaska family cases are heard in the Alaska Superior Court, one of the few states with a unified trial court structure. The Child Support Services Division within the Department of Revenue handles enforcement. Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau host the largest court locations; rural Alaska relies heavily on magistrates and remote hearings. Alaska Legal Services Corporation provides statewide civil legal aid.

12 Resources

1. People Mover — Anchorage — Paid

Public bus service operated by the Municipality of Anchorage, connecting neighborhoods, job centers, schools, and medical facilities across the Anchorage metropolitan area. Discount fares are available for seniors, youth, and people with disabilities. Fathers can call the transit office weekdays or use the online trip planner; bring a photo ID when applying for reduced-fare cards at the downtown customer service office.

(907) 343-6543 · 3600 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Anchorage, AK 99507 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

2. Fairbanks MACS Transit — Paid

Public bus service operated by the City of Fairbanks providing fixed-route and paratransit service across Fairbanks and surrounding communities. Discounted fares are available for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Fathers can call weekdays or use the online schedule to plan trips to work, school, or medical appointments; bring a photo ID when applying for reduced-fare passes at the transit office.

(907) 459-1011 · Fairbanks, AK 99701 · Mon-Sat 6am-9pm · Visit Website

3. Capital Transit — Juneau — Paid

Public bus service operated by the City and Borough of Juneau connecting downtown, Mendenhall Valley, Douglas Island, and outlying neighborhoods. Discount fares are available for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Fathers can call weekdays or use the online schedule to plan trips to work, school, or medical appointments; bring a photo ID when applying for reduced-fare passes at the transit office.

(907) 789-6901 · Juneau, AK 99801 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

4. Alaska Marine Highway System — Paid

State-operated ferry system connecting coastal Alaska communities from Southeast to the Aleutians, providing passenger and vehicle transport between towns not connected by road. Fathers moving vehicles, household goods, or families can call weekdays or book online; routes and schedules vary seasonally, so reserve early. Bring a photo ID for all passengers, and vehicle registration and insurance when transporting a car.

(907) 465-3941 · 7559 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901 · Varies by route · Visit Website

5. Alaska Railroad — Paid

Passenger rail service connecting Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Whittier, and other Alaska communities, with seasonal schedules and year-round service on some routes. Fathers planning travel can call weekdays or book online; seasonal demand is high, so reserve early. Bring a photo ID for adult passengers and children's birth certificates if requesting child fares; baggage and pet policies are posted on the website.

(907) 265-2494 · 411 W 1st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501 · Varies by season · Visit Website

6. Kenai Peninsula Borough Transit (KPBT) — Paid

Public bus service connecting communities across the Kenai Peninsula, including Soldotna, Kenai, and surrounding areas, with fixed routes and demand-response service. Fathers can call weekdays to plan trips to work, school, or medical appointments; bring a photo ID when applying for reduced-fare passes at the borough transit office. Schedules and route changes are posted online and at major stops throughout the service area.

(907) 714-2380 · 144 N Binkley St, Soldotna, AK 99669 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm · Visit Website

7. Mat-Su Community Transit (MASCOT) — Paid

Public transportation for the Mat-Su Valley serving Palmer, Wasilla, and surrounding communities with fixed-route, commuter, and demand-response service. Discount fares are available for qualifying riders. Fathers can call weekdays or use the online trip planner to reach work, school, or medical appointments; bring a photo ID when applying for reduced-fare passes at the Palmer transit office or designated partner sites.

(907) 864-5000 · 350 E Dahlia Ave, Palmer, AK 99645 · Mon-Fri 6am-8pm · Visit Website

8. Alaska DOT — Rural Transportation Assistance — Free

State Department of Transportation program providing transportation funding, planning, and technical support for rural Alaska communities, including small transit systems and tribal transportation programs. Fathers, tribal leaders, and village administrators seeking information on rural routes or grants can call the Juneau office weekdays; have community demographics, current transportation challenges, and any prior DOT correspondence ready.

(907) 465-1761 · PO Box 112500, Juneau, AK 99811 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Alaska Airlines Neighbor Island Service — Paid

Alaska Airlines scheduled passenger flights connecting Anchorage with Fairbanks, Juneau, and other Alaska communities, providing an important link for families in remote areas. Fathers booking travel for work, medical appointments, or family visits can call around the clock or book online; bring a photo ID for adult passengers and children's birth certificates if requesting child fares, and review baggage rules in advance.

(800) 252-7522 · Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport, AK 99502 · 24/7 reservations · Visit Website

10. Ravn Alaska — Rural Air Service — Paid

Regional airline providing scheduled passenger flights between Anchorage, Fairbanks, and rural hub and village communities across Alaska. Daily service supports medical travel, family visits, and commerce in the bush. Fathers booking travel can call the reservations line or book online; bring a photo ID for adult passengers and children's birth certificates if requesting child fares, and review baggage rules for small-aircraft routes.

(800) 866-8394 · 4700 Old International Airport Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502 · Daily service · Visit Website

11. Southcentral Foundation — Medical Transportation — Free

Transportation coordination for Alaska Native and American Indian patients accessing healthcare at the Alaska Native Medical Center and partner clinics, including travel from villages to Anchorage. Fathers supporting a child or elder can call weekdays to arrange travel; bring a photo ID, tribal enrollment information, appointment details, and referral or authorization paperwork to coordinate lodging and transport logistics in advance.

(907) 729-4955 · 4501 Diplomacy Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Anchorage AnchorRides — Paratransit — Paid

Door-to-door paratransit service for Anchorage residents with disabilities that prevent use of fixed-route People Mover buses. Eligibility requires an application and certification process. Fathers or guardians applying on behalf of a dependent can call weekdays; bring a photo ID, medical documentation of the disability, and completed application forms to the transit office. Trips must typically be scheduled in advance.

(907) 343-6543 · 3600 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Anchorage, AK 99507 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

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.