Iowa DOT – Public Transit

Transportation · Iowa · 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.

Contact & Details

Address: 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50010

Phone: 515-239-1101

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm

Visit Website

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.

More Transportation in Iowa

  • DART – Des Moines Area Transit — Public bus service for the greater Des Moines metro including fixed routes, flex service, and paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fath
  • Cedar Rapids Transit — Public bus service for Cedar Rapids operating fixed routes throughout the city plus paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can bo
  • Sioux City Transit — Public bus service in Sioux City operating fixed routes plus paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can board with cash fare or a
  • Iowa City Transit — Public bus service for Iowa City operating fixed routes, with CAMBUS and Coralville Transit providing complementary service in the metro are
  • MET Transit – Waterloo — Metropolitan Transit Authority of Black Hawk County operating fixed-route bus service for Waterloo and Cedar Falls plus paratransit for qual
  • CyRide – Ames — Public transit system serving Ames and Iowa State University with fixed routes and student-focused campus service. Fathers living in Ames ca

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.