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 Florida

11 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 Florida

Florida handles family law in circuit courts across its 20 judicial circuits. The Department of Revenue Child Support Program oversees enforcement statewide. Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale are the largest metros. Florida has an active self-help court system, free online parenting courses, and Bay Area Legal Services, Three Rivers Legal Services, and other LSC programs providing representation.

11 Resources

1. Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) — Paid

Metrobus, Metrorail, and Metromover service across Miami-Dade County with 100+ bus routes and 23 rail stations. Use the EASY Card for discounted fares and access reduced-fare programs for low-income riders through the Transportation Disadvantaged Bus Pass program. Located at 701 NW 1st Court, Miami. Call (305) 468-5900 Mon-Fri 7 AM to 7 PM, Sat 8 AM to 5 PM. Visit miamidade.gov for routes, schedules, and fare information.

(305) 468-5900 · 701 NW 1st Court, Suite 1700, Miami, FL 33136 · Customer service Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. LYNX — Central Florida Regional Transit (Orlando) — Paid

Bus service across Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties in the Orlando area. Low-income riders may qualify for reduced fares through the Transportation Disadvantaged program. ADA paratransit available through ACCESS LYNX. Main office at 455 N. Garland Ave., Orlando. Call (407) 841-5969 Mon-Fri 8 AM to 8 PM, Sat-Sun 8 AM to 6 PM. Email inquiry@golynx.com or visit golynx.com for routes, schedules, and reduced fare eligibility information.

(407) 841-5969 · 455 N. Garland Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 · Customer service Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm · Visit Website

3. SunRail Commuter Rail (Central Florida) — Paid

Commuter rail connecting DeBary to Poinciana through downtown Orlando across four counties. 16 stations with convenient connections to LYNX bus service and other transit options. Low fares and discounted monthly passes available for regular commuters. Administrative office at 801 SunRail Dr., Sanford. Call (855) 724-5411 or email info@sunrail.com for schedules and fare information. Visit sunrail.com for the full route map and real-time service updates.

(855) 724-5411 · 801 SunRail Dr., Sanford, FL 32771 · Mon-Fri, peak commute hours · Visit Website

4. JTA — Jacksonville Transportation Authority — Paid

Bus, paratransit, and autonomous vehicle shuttle services throughout Duval County in Jacksonville. Operates fixed-route buses, the U2C autonomous shuttle network, and ADA-compliant paratransit. Reduced fare programs and Transportation Disadvantaged passes available for qualifying low-income riders. Located at 100 LaVilla Center Dr., Jacksonville. Call (904) 633-8544 Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM or email customer-svc@jtafla.com. Visit jtafla.com for routes and fares.

(904) 633-8544 · 100 LaVilla Center Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32202 · Customer service Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. HART — Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (Tampa) — Paid

Bus and streetcar service across Hillsborough County including downtown Tampa. Reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and qualifying low-income riders through the Transportation Disadvantaged program. Located at 1201 E. 7th Ave., Tampa. Call (813) 254-4278 Mon-Fri 6 AM to 8 PM, Sat-Sun 8 AM to 5 PM. Email communications@gohart.org or visit gohart.org for routes, schedules, and fare reduction program eligibility information.

(813) 254-4278 · 1201 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605 · Customer service Mon-Fri 6am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Broward County Transit (BCT) — Paid

Fixed-route buses and TOPS paratransit throughout Broward County. The Transportation Disadvantaged Bus Pass Program provides free monthly bus passes to eligible low-income residents who qualify. Located at 3201 W. Copans Rd., Pompano Beach. Call (954) 357-8400 Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM. Email cservice@broward.org or visit broward.org/BCT for routes, schedules, and information on qualifying for the free Transportation Disadvantaged bus pass program.

(954) 357-8400 · 3201 W. Copans Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33069 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Palm Tran — Palm Beach County Transit — Paid

Fixed-route buses and Palm Tran Connection paratransit service from Boca Raton to Jupiter across Palm Beach County. Half-fare and Transportation Disadvantaged passes available for qualifying low-income riders and those with disabilities. Located at 100 N. Congress Ave., Delray Beach. Call (561) 841-4287 Mon-Fri 6 AM to 6 PM, Sat 8 AM to 5 PM. Email PT-CustomerService@pbcgov.org or visit palmtran.org for routes and assistance program eligibility.

(561) 841-4287 · 100 N. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33445 · Customer service Mon-Fri 6am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) — Free

Coordinates statewide transportation for Floridians who cannot drive due to age, disability, or income. Connects fathers with local Community Transportation Coordinators for subsidized trips to medical appointments, employment, education, and essential services. Located at 605 Suwannee St., Tallahassee. Call (800) 983-2435 Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM. Email CTDOmbudsman@dot.state.fl.us or visit fdot.gov/ctd. Programs operate through local coordinators in all 67 Florida counties.

(800) 983-2435 · 605 Suwannee St., MS-49, Tallahassee, FL 32399 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. 211 Florida — Transportation Assistance — Free

Free, confidential 2-1-1 helpline connecting Florida residents with local transportation resources including bus passes, medical ride programs, volunteer driver networks, and emergency gas assistance. Available 24/7 in multiple languages by dialing 211 from any phone in Florida. Visit fl211.org for more. Trained specialists locate transportation options near you and can connect you with other community resources in a single call.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

10. Wheels of Success — Free Vehicle Program (Tampa Bay) — Free

Tampa Bay's only nonprofit dedicated to providing vehicles and transportation support to low-income working families. Qualifying employed fathers can receive a donated, repaired vehicle or reduced-cost car repair assistance to maintain employment. Located at 13116 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. Call (813) 995-5040 Mon-Fri 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM or email info@wheelsofsuccess.org. Visit wheelsofsuccess.org to apply. Proof of employment and valid driver's license required.

(813) 995-5040 · 13116 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33612 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm · Visit Website

11. Hillsborough County Sunshine Line Bus Pass Program — Free

Free HART daily and monthly bus passes to low-income Hillsborough County residents living within 3/4 mile of a HART bus route and with no other transportation available. Program has operated for over 30 years. Located at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Call (813) 272-7272 Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM for pre-screening. Email sunshinelineinfo@hcfl.gov or visit hcfl.gov for eligibility details and how to apply for free bus pass assistance.

(813) 272-7272 · 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · 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.