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 Indiana

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 Indiana

Indiana superior and circuit courts hear family matters in all 92 counties, with some counties operating dedicated domestic relations divisions. The Child Support Bureau operates under DCS. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend are the largest metros. Indiana Legal Services is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

14 Resources

1. IndyGo (Indianapolis) — Paid

Indianapolis' public transit system operating 31 bus routes including the Red Line and Purple Line BRT plus paratransit (Open Door) across Marion County. Dads can ride fixed routes with a MyKey fare card, a mobile ticket, or cash. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders. Paratransit requires advance certification for riders with disabilities. Visit the IndyGo website for route maps, schedules, and Open Door application info.

317-635-3344 · 1501 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46222 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

2. Citilink (Fort Wayne) — Paid

Fort Wayne's public transit system providing fixed-route bus and paratransit services across Allen County. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare, a pass, or the mobile ticket app. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. Paratransit (Access) requires advance certification for riders who cannot use fixed routes. Visit the Citilink website for route maps, schedules, and Access application info.

260-432-4546 · 801 Leesburg Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46808 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

3. Gary Public Transportation Corp (GPTC) — Paid

Gary's public transit system serving northwest Indiana with fixed-route bus and demand-response services across Gary and neighboring communities. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare or a pass. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. Demand-response and paratransit services require advance scheduling and, in some cases, certification. Visit the GPTC website for schedules and applications.

219-884-6100 · 100 W 4th Ave, Gary, IN 46402 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

4. South Shore Line (Northern Indiana Commuter) — Paid

Commuter rail connecting northwest Indiana (Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, Michigan City, and stations further east) to downtown Chicago's Millennium Station. Dads commuting for work, court appearances, or family visits can purchase tickets at station vending machines, on the train, or via the mobile app. Monthly passes are available. Check the South Shore Line website for current schedules, fares, and parking at stations across northwest Indiana.

219-926-5744 · Stations across northwest Indiana · Service schedule varies · Visit Website

5. Transpo (South Bend) — Paid

South Bend's public transit system providing fixed-route bus and paratransit services across St. Joseph County. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare, a pass, or the mobile ticket app. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. Paratransit (Access) requires advance certification for riders who cannot use fixed routes. Visit the Transpo website for route maps, schedules, and Access application info.

574-233-2131 · 1401 S Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46613 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

6. METS (Evansville) — Paid

Evansville's public transit system providing fixed-route bus and paratransit services across Vanderburgh County. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare or a pass. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. Paratransit (Mobility Access) requires advance certification for riders who cannot use fixed routes. Visit the METS website or call for route maps, schedules, and Mobility Access application info.

812-435-6196 · 700 E Walnut St, Evansville, IN 47713 · Service hours vary by route

7. Indiana BMV — Paid

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles handling driver's licenses, state ID cards, vehicle registration, and title transfers at branches across the state. Online services are available for many routine transactions. Dads needing a license or ID can make an appointment online at the BMV website. Bring proof of identity (birth certificate or passport), Social Security number, proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and proof of legal status if applicable.

888-692-6841 · Offices across Indiana · Varies; many Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, some Sat · Visit Website

8. Indiana Medicaid - Transportation Assistance — Free

Indiana Medicaid provides non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for eligible HIP/Medicaid members through their managed care plans (CareSource, Anthem, MDwise, MHS). Dads enrolled in HIP who need rides to doctor, pharmacy, or mental health appointments should call their plan's member services number at least 48-72 hours in advance. Have your member ID, appointment details, and pickup address ready. Rides are free to eligible members.

1-877-438-4479 · Contact your Medicaid managed care plan · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website

9. CityBus (Lafayette/West Lafayette) — Paid

Public transit system serving Greater Lafayette and the Purdue University area with fixed-route bus and paratransit services. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare or a pass. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. Paratransit (Access) requires advance certification for riders who cannot use fixed routes. Visit the CityBus website for route maps, schedules, and Access application info.

765-742-7433 · 1250 Canal Rd, West Lafayette, IN 47906 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

10. Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) — Paid

Public transit system serving Muncie and the Ball State University area with fixed-route bus services across Delaware County. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare or a pass. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. MITS Plus paratransit requires advance certification for riders who cannot use fixed routes. Visit the MITS website for route maps, schedules, and paratransit application info.

765-289-6487 · 3311 N Everbrook Ln, Muncie, IN 47304 · Mon-Sat; varies by route · Visit Website

11. Kokomo City Transit — Paid

Public transit system serving Kokomo and Howard County with fixed-route bus and demand-response services. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare or a pass. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. Demand-response services typically require advance scheduling and, in some cases, certification. Visit the City of Kokomo website or call for route maps, schedules, and eligibility info.

765-456-7246 · Kokomo, IN 46901 · Mon-Sat; varies · Visit Website

12. BT Access (Bloomington Paratransit) — Paid

Door-to-door paratransit service for Bloomington Transit riders with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route transit. Dads and family members who qualify can schedule rides in advance within the Bloomington service area. Certification requires an application and, in some cases, a functional assessment. Visit the Bloomington Transit website or call for BT Access application info and current fare structure. Rides must typically be scheduled at least one day in advance.

812-336-7433 · Bloomington, IN 47403 · Same hours as Bloomington Transit · Visit Website

13. Indiana INDOT Rideshare Program — Free

State-sponsored rideshare matching service connecting Indiana commuters with carpool and vanpool partners to reduce transportation costs, traffic, and emissions. Dads with long commutes can register at the INDOT rideshare website, enter home and work locations, and get matched with nearby commuters going the same direction. The service is free. Vanpool programs may offer additional subsidies; check the site for current programs and fuel cost sharing.

Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

14. Terre Haute City Bus — Paid

Public transit system serving Terre Haute and Vigo County with fixed-route bus and paratransit services. Dads can ride fixed routes with cash fare or a pass. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders including seniors and people with disabilities. Paratransit requires advance certification for riders who cannot use fixed routes. Call or visit the city's website for route maps, schedules, fares, and paratransit application info.

812-232-0103 · 800 Poplar St, Terre Haute, IN 47807 · Mon-Sat; varies by route

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.