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 Arizona

14 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 Arizona

Arizona handles custody (called 'legal decision-making' and 'parenting time') in superior courts in all 15 counties. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DES. Maricopa County (Phoenix) runs the nation's busiest family court. Major metros include Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Chandler. Community Legal Services and Southern Arizona Legal Aid cover most of the state.

14 Resources

1. Valley Metro (Phoenix) — Paid

Phoenix metro's regional public transit authority operating local and express bus routes, Valley Metro Rail light rail, streetcar service, vanpool, and ADA paratransit across Maricopa County, connecting Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, and surrounding cities. Fares can be paid with cash, pass, or reloadable card. Reduced-fare programs available for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income riders. Plan trips on valleymetro.org or the app.

602-253-5000 · 101 N 1st Ave, Suite 1400, Phoenix, AZ 85003 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

2. Sun Tran (Tucson) — Paid

Tucson's regional public transit system providing fixed-route local bus, Sun Express commuter bus, Sun Shuttle rural service, and the Sun Link streetcar across Tucson and Pima County. Fares paid by cash, SunGO card, or app. Free or reduced-fare programs available for low-income riders, seniors 65+, people with disabilities, students, and Medicare cardholders through separate applications. Plan trips on suntran.com or the app. Customer service centers offer in-person fare and pass assistance.

520-792-9222 · 3920 S Park Ave, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85714 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

3. Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT) — Paid

Public transit system operated by the Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority serving Yuma County with fixed-route local buses and dial-a-ride demand-response services connecting Yuma, Somerton, San Luis, Wellton, and surrounding unincorporated communities. Fares paid by cash or pass. Reduced fares available for seniors, youth, and people with disabilities. Dial-a-ride typically requires advance booking. Plan trips on ycipta.org or call customer service.

928-783-2235 · 2715 E 14th St, Yuma, AZ 85365 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

4. Flagstaff Mountain Line (NAIPTA) — Paid

Flagstaff's regional public transit system, operated by the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority, providing fixed-route local bus service across Flagstaff and serving the Northern Arizona University campus. Fares paid by cash, pass, or mobile app. Reduced fares available for seniors 60+, youth, people with disabilities, and low-income riders. Plan trips on mountainline.az.gov or by phone. In-person fare and pass sales available at customer service locations.

928-679-8900 · 3773 N Kaspar Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

5. Arizona MVD (Motor Vehicle Division) — Paid

Arizona Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Division handling driver's licenses (including commercial CDL and Travel ID/REAL ID), state ID cards, vehicle registration, title transfers, and specialty plates at offices across Arizona. Many services available online at azmvdnow.gov without an office visit. Applicants for original or renewed licenses typically need a birth certificate or passport, Social Security number, two proofs of Arizona residency, and proof of legal U.S. presence.

602-255-0072 · Offices across Arizona · Varies by location; many Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Valley Metro Reduced Fare Program — Paid

Reduced transit fare program for seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders on all Valley Metro bus, light rail, and streetcar services across the Phoenix metro. Qualifying riders must apply for and obtain a Valley Metro Reduced Fare ID card. Apply in person at a Valley Metro customer service center; bring photo ID, proof of age, disability documentation, or Medicare card as appropriate. Card is valid on most Valley Metro services.

602-253-5000 · Apply at Valley Metro customer service centers · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Sun Van Paratransit (Tucson) — Paid

ADA-compliant paratransit service operated by Sun Tran for Tucson and eastern Pima County residents with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses. Provides door-to-door shared rides within 3/4 of a mile of Sun Tran fixed routes during Sun Tran's hours of operation. Riders must be certified as ADA-eligible through a separate application and in-person assessment. Bring photo ID, doctor's documentation of disability, and proof of Pima County address to the certification appointment.

520-798-1000 · Pima County service area · Service hours match Sun Tran routes · Visit Website

8. Prescott Transit Authority (CityRide) — Paid

Public transit service operated by the City of Prescott providing fixed-route local bus and dial-a-ride demand-response service throughout the Prescott area. Fares paid by cash or pass; reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and youth. Dial-a-ride typically requires advance booking by phone and prioritizes riders with mobility limitations. Plan trips and view schedules on the City of Prescott transit webpage or by calling the CityRide customer service phone line.

928-445-5470 · Prescott city limits · Mon-Sat (hours vary by route) · Visit Website

9. Cottonwood Area Transit (CAT) — Paid

Public transit operated by the City of Cottonwood serving the Verde Valley communities of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, and Camp Verde with fixed-route bus service and connections to regional destinations. Fares paid by cash or pass; reduced fares typically available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities. Plan trips and confirm current schedules through the City of Cottonwood transit webpage or by calling customer service, since rural routes run on limited schedules.

928-634-2287 · Verde Valley area · Mon-Fri service hours vary · Visit Website

10. Sierra Vista Public Transit — Paid

City of Sierra Vista public transit department providing fixed-route local bus service and demand-response dial-a-ride service within the City of Sierra Vista and the nearby Fort Huachuca area in Cochise County. Fares paid by cash or pass; reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, youth, and military personnel. Dial-a-ride typically requires advance booking. Plan trips and confirm current schedules on the City of Sierra Vista transit webpage or by phone.

520-458-3315 · Sierra Vista city limits · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm; Sat limited · Visit Website

11. Lake Havasu Transit — Paid

Public transit service operated by the City of Lake Havasu City providing fixed-route local bus service and dial-a-ride demand-response service across Lake Havasu City in western Arizona. Fares paid by cash or pass; reduced fares typically available for seniors, people with disabilities, and youth. Dial-a-ride generally requires advance booking by phone. Plan trips and view current schedules on the City of Lake Havasu City transit webpage or by calling the transit customer service line.

928-453-7550 · Lake Havasu City limits · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm; Sat limited · Visit Website

12. Lyft/Uber Assistance Programs (AZ) — Paid

Major rideshare companies offering discounted or fully subsidized rides for non-emergency medical appointments, job access, and essential trips in Arizona through partnerships with AHCCCS health plans, workforce agencies, and nonprofit community programs. Riders typically do not apply directly; eligibility is set through your AHCCCS plan, Arizona@Work career center, or nonprofit partner. Standard service is also available statewide via the Lyft and Uber apps with card.

Available statewide via app · 24/7 · Visit Website

13. Navajo Transit System — Paid

Public transit operated by the Navajo Nation Department of Transportation providing fixed-route bus service connecting communities across the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona, western New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. Routes serve Window Rock, Chinle, Tuba City, Shiprock, and other chapter communities. Fares paid by cash. Riders include tribal members, visitors, and reservation agency employees. Plan trips by phone or review schedules on the Navajo Transit website.

928-729-4002 · Navajo Nation routes in AZ, NM, UT · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

14. Glendale Dial-a-Ride — Paid

Demand-response transit service operated by the City of Glendale providing curb-to-curb shared rides within Glendale city limits for residents, with priority for seniors 65 and older and people with disabilities. Advance reservations required by phone, typically at least one day ahead. Fares paid by cash or pass; reduced-fare programs available for qualifying riders. Riders should have photo ID and proof of Glendale residency on file. Call customer service to schedule or register.

623-930-3500 · Glendale city limits · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · 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.