Transportation in Iowa

15 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 Iowa

Iowa district courts hear family cases in all 99 counties, with the Child Support Recovery Unit under the Department of Human Services managing enforcement. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City are the largest metros. Iowa Legal Aid is the statewide LSC-funded program, with every county having a self-represented litigant coordinator.

15 Resources

1. DART – Des Moines Area Transit — Paid

Public bus service for the greater Des Moines metro including fixed routes, flex service, and paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can ride with cash fare, tickets, or the MyDART mobile app. Discount passes available for seniors, students, and low-income riders. Real-time arrival info online and in-app. Main station on Cherry Street in downtown Des Moines. Connects to jobs, schools, clinics, and government offices throughout Polk County.

515-283-8100 · 620 Cherry St, Des Moines, IA 50309 · Mon-Sat 5am-10pm · Visit Website

2. Cedar Rapids Transit — Paid

Public bus service for Cedar Rapids operating fixed routes throughout the city plus paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can board with cash or a monthly pass; reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Real-time tracking available online. Main maintenance and dispatch at Shaver Road NE, with a downtown transfer station. Routes connect to workplaces, shopping, clinics, and college campuses across Linn County.

319-286-5573 · 1201 Shaver Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-7pm · Visit Website

3. Sioux City Transit — Paid

Public bus service in Sioux City operating fixed routes plus paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can board with cash fare or a monthly pass; reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Main transfer point at the Nebraska Street terminal downtown. Routes serve workplaces, hospitals, colleges, and shopping across Woodbury County. Real-time arrival and route info available on the city's transit webpages.

712-279-6405 · 508 Nebraska St, Sioux City, IA 51101 · Mon-Sat 6am-6:30pm · Visit Website

4. Iowa City Transit — Paid

Public bus service for Iowa City operating fixed routes, with CAMBUS and Coralville Transit providing complementary service in the metro area. Fathers can ride with cash fare, tokens, or a monthly pass; discounts available for students, seniors, and those with disabilities. Paratransit service available for qualifying riders. Main offices at 1200 S Riverside Drive. Routes serve the university, hospitals, shopping, and housing across Johnson County.

319-356-5151 · 1200 S Riverside Dr, Iowa City, IA 52246 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

5. Iowa DOT – Public Transit — Free

Iowa Department of Transportation's public transit division administering federal and state funding for urban, regional, and rural transit providers. Fathers in rural areas can use the DOT site to find the nearest regional transit provider offering deviated-route and demand-response service. Agency does not operate buses directly but funds local systems in all 99 counties. Main office on Lincoln Way in Ames. Free information for the public.

515-239-1101 · 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. MET Transit – Waterloo — Paid

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Black Hawk County operating fixed-route bus service for Waterloo and Cedar Falls plus paratransit for qualifying riders. Fathers can board with cash or pass; reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Main transfer hub on East 5th Street in downtown Waterloo. Routes connect to workplaces, schools, shopping, and clinics across the Cedar Valley. Weekend service limited to Saturday.

319-234-5714 · 309 E 5th St, Waterloo, IA 50703 · Mon-Sat 6am-6:30pm

7. CyRide – Ames — Paid

Public transit system serving Ames and Iowa State University with fixed routes and student-focused campus service. Fathers living in Ames can ride with cash fare or a monthly pass; reduced fares available for seniors and those with disabilities. ISU students ride with their ID. Routes serve campus, housing, shopping, and workplaces across the city. Main offices on University Boulevard. Late-night and weekend service supports student and worker schedules.

515-292-1100 · 1700 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50010 · Mon-Sat 6am-midnight · Visit Website

8. Jule Transit – Dubuque — Paid

Public bus service operated by the City of Dubuque with fixed routes and paratransit for qualifying riders. Fathers can board with cash fare or a monthly pass; reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Main garage at 950 Elm Street. Routes serve workplaces, schools, medical facilities, and shopping across the Dubuque tri-state area along the Mississippi River. Real-time route info available on the city website.

563-589-4196 · 950 Elm St, Dubuque, IA 52001 · Mon-Sat 6am-6:30pm · Visit Website

9. RIDES Regional Transit – Spencer — Paid

Rural regional transit system serving northwest Iowa with deviated-route and demand-response service for residents without access to fixed-route buses. Fathers can call ahead to schedule rides to work, medical appointments, shopping, or other needs. Fares are low with reduced rates for seniors and those with disabilities. Dispatch and offices on East 7th Street in Spencer. Serves Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, and neighboring rural counties statewide.

800-382-9010 · 215 E 7th St, Spencer, IA 51301 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

10. Region 6 Transit – Marshalltown — Paid

Rural public transit serving central Iowa communities with demand-response and deviated-route service in Marshall, Tama, Hardin, and Poweshiek counties. Fathers can call to schedule rides for work, medical appointments, groceries, or other needs. Fares are low with reduced rates for seniors and those with disabilities. Main office on East State Street in Marshalltown. Vehicles operate weekday hours with some flexibility for medical trips.

641-752-5767 · 903 E State St, Marshalltown, IA 50158 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

11. HIRTA – Heart of Iowa Regional Transit — Paid

Rural transit serving central Iowa counties including Dallas, Boone, Story, Jasper, Warren, Madison, and Marion. Fathers can call to schedule rides for work, medical appointments, and other trips; vehicles operate demand-response service across the region. Fares are low with reduced rates for seniors and those with disabilities. Main office on Grand Avenue in Ames. Advance booking is encouraged, and same-day trips may be available based on capacity.

877-686-0029 · 2027 Grand Ave, Ames, IA 50010 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

12. 10-15 Transit – Ottumwa — Paid

Public transit serving Ottumwa and southeast Iowa with fixed-route service in the city and demand-response service in outlying areas. Fathers can board city routes with cash fare or call to schedule rural rides. Reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Main office on East 2nd Street in Ottumwa. Routes connect to workplaces, medical facilities, and shopping across Wapello, Jefferson, and neighboring counties.

641-682-1108 · 437 E 2nd St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

13. Burlington Urban Service — Paid

Public transit serving Burlington and surrounding Des Moines County with fixed-route bus service and paratransit for qualifying riders. Fathers can board with cash or a monthly pass; reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Main office and transfer point at 400 Washington Street in downtown Burlington. Routes connect to workplaces, schools, clinics, and shopping across the city during weekday business hours.

319-753-8170 · 400 Washington St, Burlington, IA 52601 · Mon-Fri 6:15am-6pm · Visit Website

14. Fort Dodge Public Transit — Paid

Public bus service for Fort Dodge and Webster County operating fixed routes and paratransit for qualifying riders. Fathers can board with cash fare or a monthly pass; reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Main operations on 1st Avenue South. Routes connect to workplaces, schools, clinics, and shopping across Fort Dodge. Real-time route information available through the city website during weekday service hours.

515-573-8145 · 819 1st Ave S, Fort Dodge, IA 50501 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-5:30pm · Visit Website

15. Mason City Public Transit — Paid

Public bus service for Mason City and Cerro Gordo County operating fixed routes and paratransit for qualifying riders. Fathers can board with cash fare or a monthly pass; reduced fares available for seniors, students, and those with disabilities. Main offices at 10 1st Street NW in downtown Mason City. Routes connect to workplaces, clinics, schools, and shopping across the city during weekday service hours. Call for trip planning assistance.

641-421-3616 · 10 1st St NW, Mason City, IA 50401 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-5:30pm · 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.