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 Georgia

18 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 Georgia

Georgia superior courts hear divorce and custody in each of its 159 counties. The Division of Child Support Services under DHS handles enforcement. Atlanta anchors the state; Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Athens round out major metros. Atlanta Legal Aid and Georgia Legal Services Program are the two primary civil legal aid organizations, with specific fathers' rights and child support help available.

18 Resources

1. MARTA – Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority — Paid

Atlanta's rail and bus transit system covering Fulton and DeKalb counties with bus service extending into Clayton County and express routes to the airport. The rail system includes Red, Gold, Blue, and Green lines serving key destinations throughout metro Atlanta. Fares start at .50. The Breeze card is rechargeable and available at all rail stations. Call 404-848-5000 or visit itsmarta.com for maps, schedules, and trip planning tools.

404-848-5000 · 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 · Call center Mon–Fri 6am–8pm, Sat–Sun 8am–5pm · Visit Website

2. GRTA Xpress – Regional Commuter Bus — Paid

Commuter bus service connecting 12 metro Atlanta counties to downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and MARTA rail stations on weekdays during peak commute hours. Routes serve areas including Cherokee, Coweta, Fayette, Hall, Henry, and other outer counties. Xpress passes are available monthly. Call 404-463-4782 or visit xpressga.com for schedules, fares, and park-and-ride lot locations near you. An affordable option for fathers commuting to Atlanta from suburban counties.

404-463-4782 · 245 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 · Weekday peak commute hours · Visit Website

3. Chatham Area Transit (CAT) – Savannah — Paid

Savannah's public bus system serving Chatham County with local fixed routes, express service, and paratransit for eligible riders with disabilities. Buses run Mon–Fri 6am–8pm and Saturday 8am–4pm. Fares are low-cost and transfers are available. The main transit hub is at 900 E Gwinnett St in Savannah. Call 912-233-5767 or visit catchacat.org for route maps, schedules, and real-time bus tracking information.

912-233-5767 · 900 E Gwinnett St, Savannah, GA 31401 · Mon–Fri 6am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm · Visit Website

4. Augusta Transit — Paid

Augusta-Richmond County's public bus system with fixed routes across Augusta and paratransit service for eligible riders with disabilities. Buses run Monday through Saturday 6am–7pm. Low-cost fares with reduced rates for seniors and riders with disabilities. Located at 2844 Regency Blvd in Augusta. Call 706-821-1719 for route information and schedules. Visit augustaga.gov for system maps and current service updates. Transfers available between routes.

706-821-1719 · 2844 Regency Blvd, Augusta, GA 30904 · Mon–Sat 6am–7pm · Visit Website

5. Georgia Medicaid NEMT (Verida) — Free

Non-emergency medical transportation for Georgia Medicaid members who need rides to medical appointments and cannot arrange their own transportation. Schedule at least 3 business days in advance by calling 404-209-4000 for the Atlanta region. Trips must be to covered Medicaid services. Available statewide through Verida, the state-contracted NEMT broker. Keep your Medicaid ID number handy when calling. Visit verida.com/georgia-members-dch for more information.

404-209-4000 · Statewide (Atlanta region: 404-209-4000) · Mon–Fri 7am–6pm · Visit Website

6. 211 Georgia – Transportation Assistance — Free

Call 211 anytime to find local transportation assistance programs, volunteer driver networks, and transit options in your Georgia county. The 211 Georgia helpline connects callers to community resources including medical trip assistance, transit schedules, and car repair programs. Available 24/7 statewide. Especially useful for fathers in rural Georgia counties without dedicated public transit systems. You can also search at 211.org for transportation resources near your zip code.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Columbus – METRA Transit — Paid

Muscogee County's public bus system serving Columbus and surrounding areas with fixed-route buses and paratransit service for eligible riders with disabilities. Buses run Monday through Saturday 5:30am–9pm. Low-cost fares with reduced rates for seniors and riders with disabilities. The main METRA terminal is at 900 Front Ave in Columbus. Call 706-225-0507 or visit columbusga.gov for current route maps, schedules, and fare information.

706-225-0507 · 900 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 · Mon–Sat 5:30am–9pm · Visit Website

8. Georgia DOT – Transit Programs Office — Free

State office coordinating transit funding and rural transportation programs for Georgia counties that lack dedicated public transit systems. Administers federal and state grants for rural transit, paratransit, and elderly/disabled transportation programs. Located at 600 W Peachtree St NW in Atlanta. Call 404-631-1990 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm for information about transportation funding in your county. Connects local governments to transit planning resources and federal Section 5311 rural transit funds.

404-631-1990 · 600 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

9. Veterans Transportation (DAV Transport) — Free

DAV volunteers provide free rides to VA medical appointments for Georgia veterans who cannot drive or arrange their own transportation. Operates out of the Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur and the Charlie Norwood VA in Augusta. Vans depart from the VA campus. Call 404-321-6111 to schedule a DAV transport pickup for your next VA appointment. The service is free of charge. Donations to the DAV help keep this program running for Georgia veterans.

404-321-6111 · Atlanta VA Medical Center, 1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033 · Call VA for scheduling · Visit Website

10. Gwinnett County Transit — Paid

Public bus system serving Gwinnett County northeast of Atlanta with local routes connecting neighborhoods and express service to downtown Atlanta and MARTA stations. Buses operate Monday through Friday 5am–10pm and Saturday 7am–8pm. Low-cost fares with senior and disability discounts. Call 770-822-5010 for schedules and route information. Gwinnett County Transit is a practical option for fathers commuting between the suburbs and Atlanta without a car.

770-822-5010 · Gwinnett County, GA · Mon–Fri 5am–10pm; Sat 7am–8pm

11. CobbLinc – Cobb County Transit — Paid

Local bus and paratransit service for Cobb County including Marietta and surrounding cities. Express routes connect to the MARTA Arts Center station, making it possible to reach downtown Atlanta without a car. Hours vary by route; most routes operate Monday through Saturday. Low-cost fares with senior and disability discounts. Call 770-427-4444 or visit cobbcounty.org/transportation/cobblinc for route maps, schedules, and paratransit eligibility information.

770-427-4444 · Cobb County, GA · Mon–Sat; hours vary by route · Visit Website

12. Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) — Paid

Public bus system serving Macon and Bibb County with fixed-route buses and paratransit service for eligible riders with disabilities. Buses run Monday through Saturday 5:30am–7:30pm. Low-cost fares with reduced rates for seniors and riders with disabilities. Located at 870 Second St in Macon. Call 478-803-9444 or visit mta-mac.com for current routes, schedules, and fare information. A practical option for fathers in Macon without personal vehicle access.

478-803-9444 · 870 Second St, Macon, GA 31201 · Mon–Sat 5:30am–7:30pm · Visit Website

13. Athens-Clarke County Transit (The Bus) — Paid

Public bus system serving Athens-Clarke County and the University of Georgia campus with 20+ routes. Some UGA campus routes are free to ride. The system connects neighborhoods across Athens with downtown, major shopping areas, and the UGA campus. Buses run Monday through Saturday 6am–10pm. Low-cost fares with student and senior discounts. Located at 725 E Broad St in Athens. Call 706-613-3430 for schedules or visit the Athens Transit website.

706-613-3430 · 725 E Broad St, Athens, GA 30601 · Mon–Sat 6am–10pm

14. Albany Transit System — Paid

Public bus service for Dougherty County and the Albany area in southwest Georgia. Offers fixed-route buses and demand-response paratransit for eligible riders with disabilities or medical needs. Service runs Monday through Friday 6am–6pm. Low-cost fares available. Located in Albany, GA 31701. Call 229-431-2187 or visit albany.ga.us for route maps and schedules. An important transit resource for residents of southwest Georgia without personal vehicle access.

229-431-2187 · Albany, GA 31701 · Mon–Fri 6am–6pm · Visit Website

15. Hinesville Area Transit (Liberty County) — Paid

Public transit serving Liberty County and the Fort Stewart military community with fixed-route bus service Monday through Friday 6am–6pm. Connects Hinesville neighborhoods, Fort Stewart, and key destinations including shopping centers and medical facilities. Low-cost fares available. Located in Hinesville, GA 31313. Call 912-408-2050 or visit libertycountyga.com for route information and schedules. An important transit resource for military families and residents of the Hinesville area.

912-408-2050 · Hinesville, GA 31313 · Mon–Fri 6am–6pm · Visit Website

16. Georgia Commute Options (GRTA) — Free

Free commute assistance including carpool and vanpool matching, a guaranteed emergency ride home program, and a commute cost calculator for Georgia workers. Helps reduce commuting costs and travel time for workers in metro Atlanta and other Georgia regions. Register at gacommuteoptions.com or call 877-942-7767 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Employers can also partner with Georgia Commute Options to offer employee commuter benefits and reduce parking demand.

877-942-7767 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

17. Uber/Lyft Medicaid Rides – Georgia MCO Partners — Free

Several Georgia Medicaid managed care plans partner with rideshare services including Uber Health and Lyft Healthcare for non-emergency medical transportation to appointments. Contact your MCO to determine if your plan offers this benefit. Plans such as Amerigroup, CareSource, Peach State, and WellCare may offer rideshare options. Call the member services number on the back of your Medicaid card to ask about transportation benefits before your next medical appointment.

Varies by plan · Visit Website

18. Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) – Rural Transit — Paid

Coordinates rural public transit programs across Georgia counties without dedicated transit systems. GRTA works with local governments to fund and manage transportation services in underserved areas. Contact GRTA at 404-463-3000 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm to find your county's rural transit provider. Located at 245 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Suite 800, in Atlanta. Visit grta.org for information about rural transit funding and programs available in your Georgia county.

404-463-3000 · 245 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303 · 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.