Transportation in Arkansas

10 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 Arkansas

Arkansas circuit courts hear family law matters in all 75 counties, with the Office of Child Support Enforcement under the Department of Finance and Administration. Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville are the largest metros. Legal Aid of Arkansas and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services provide free civil representation to eligible fathers statewide.

10 Resources

1. Ozark Regional Transit – NW Arkansas — Paid

Public fixed-route bus service connecting Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, and surrounding northwest Arkansas communities. Fathers without a vehicle can use route maps and schedules for work, school, child care drop-offs, and medical trips. Fares are collected on boarding. Call the Robinson Avenue office for reduced-fare passes, paratransit eligibility for riders with disabilities, and trip-planning help.

479-756-5901 · 2423 E Robinson Ave, Springdale, AR 72764 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-8pm

2. Fort Smith Transit — Paid

City-operated public bus system serving Fort Smith with fixed routes to employment centers, schools, medical facilities, and shopping. Fathers without a car can use route maps and schedules to plan commutes and child drop-offs. Cash fares are paid on boarding. Call the Jenny Lind Road office for reduced-fare passes for seniors and people with disabilities, and for ADA paratransit application information.

479-783-6464 · 6813 Jenny Lind Rd, Fort Smith, AR 72908 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

3. DAV Transportation – Arkansas VA — Free

Disabled American Veterans volunteer drivers provide free rides for Arkansas veterans to VA medical appointments, coordinating with VA Voluntary Service offices. Fathers who are veterans can call the West 7th Street office in Little Rock to schedule transportation in advance. Have your VA appointment details, full name, date of birth, last four of SSN, and a working callback number ready when booking rides.

501-257-1000 · 4300 W 7th St, Little Rock, AR 72205 · Mon-Fri by appointment · Visit Website

4. ArDOT – Arkansas Public Transit — Free

Arkansas Department of Transportation office overseeing state transit programs and rural transportation funding, including agencies that serve counties without local bus systems. Fathers in rural areas can call the Interstate 30 office to find the nearest rural transit provider and learn about eligibility for medical, employment, and senior transportation programs. Staff can also direct you to ADA paratransit contacts.

501-569-2000 · 10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. South Central Arkansas Transit — Paid

Regional public transit provider serving south central Arkansas counties with fixed-route, demand-response, and medical transportation service. Fathers in Ouachita and surrounding counties can call the Camden office to schedule trips, ask about fares, and check eligibility for reduced-fare or Medicaid-funded rides. Bring photo ID when boarding; demand-response trips typically require advance scheduling by phone.

870-836-5050 · Camden, AR 71701 · Mon-Fri 6am-5pm

6. Jonesboro Economical Transit System (JETS) — Paid

City of Jonesboro's public fixed-route bus system serving key corridors and destinations across the city, including employment centers, schools, and medical facilities. Fathers without a vehicle can use route maps and schedules to plan commutes and family trips. Cash fares are paid on boarding. Call the Church Street office for reduced-fare pass info, ADA paratransit applications, and trip-planning assistance.

870-935-5387 · 500 S Church St, Jonesboro, AR 72401 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

7. Hot Springs Intracity Transit (HIT) — Paid

City of Hot Springs public bus system providing fixed-route service across Garland County's main corridors, connecting residential areas to employers, schools, and shopping. Fathers without a car can plan commutes and family trips using published route maps and schedules. Fares are paid on boarding. Call the city line for reduced-fare passes, ADA paratransit eligibility, and help planning multi-leg trips.

501-321-2020 · Hot Springs, AR 71901 · Mon-Sat 6am-6pm · Visit Website

8. Central Arkansas Transit Authority — Free

Regional transit authority planning and coordinating bus service across greater Little Rock, North Little Rock, and surrounding Pulaski County communities under the Rock Region METRO system. Fathers can call the East Capitol Avenue office for fixed-route schedules, fare options, and ADA paratransit eligibility. Online trip planners help families time commutes to work, school, and medical appointments statewide.

501-375-1163 · 310 E Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Arkansas Rides – AETN/DHS — Free

Statewide ride-finding service connecting Arkansans to local public transit, senior vans, Medicaid transportation, and volunteer driver programs. Fathers without reliable transportation can call the toll-free number weekdays to be matched with providers serving their county for work, medical, or family trips. Have your county, pickup and drop-off addresses, trip purpose, and any disability accommodations ready when calling.

855-272-7433 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

10. Razorback Transit – Fayetteville — Free

Free fixed-route bus system serving the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville and connecting to key community destinations. Although aimed at students, buses are open to the public at no charge. Fathers in Fayetteville can use route maps and schedules to plan commutes and family trips near the campus. Call the Razorback Road office for route details, schedule changes, and accessibility accommodations.

479-575-6993 · 155 Razorback Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-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.