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 Kansas

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 Kansas

Kansas district courts handle family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts. The Child Support Services division operates under the Department for Children and Families. Wichita, Kansas City KS, Overland Park, and Topeka are the largest cities. Kansas Legal Services provides statewide civil legal aid, with fathers' rights and family law among the top case types.

14 Resources

1. Wichita Transit — Paid

Wichita Transit provides public bus service across the Wichita metro area with fixed routes, express service, and paratransit options for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and route maps online or at the downtown terminal on S Topeka Ave. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run Monday through Saturday. Accessible vehicles support riders with mobility and visual needs.

316-265-7221 · 214 S Topeka Ave, Wichita, KS 67202 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-8pm · Visit Website

2. Topeka Metro — Paid

Topeka Metro operates public bus service throughout the Topeka area with fixed routes, the Topeka Metro Bikes bike share program, and paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and route maps online or at the downtown office on SE Quincy St. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run Monday through Saturday. Accessible vehicles and real-time tracking support riders across Shawnee County.

785-783-7000 · 820 SE Quincy St, Topeka, KS 66612 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-7pm · Visit Website

3. Johnson County Transit — Paid

RideKC, operated through Johnson County Transit, provides public bus service across Johnson County and connects with the broader Kansas City metro transit system. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and route maps online or at the Olathe office on S Sunset Dr. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays with limited weekend service on some routes. Accessible vehicles and paratransit support riders with mobility needs.

913-362-7280 · 1170 S Sunset Dr, Olathe, KS 66061 · Mon-Fri 5:30am-8pm · Visit Website

4. KDOT – Kansas Public Transit — Free

The Kansas Department of Transportation administers state and federal funding for rural public transit and coordinates transportation programs for seniors, people with disabilities, and underserved communities across Kansas. Fathers in rural areas can call the Topeka office on SW Harrison St to find out about local transit providers offering on-demand rides, medical transportation, or employment shuttles. Many rural services are free or low-cost for qualifying riders.

785-296-3585 · 700 SW Harrison St, Topeka, KS 66603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Lawrence Transit System — Paid

Lawrence Transit operates public bus service throughout Lawrence, including the University of Kansas campus, along with paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and route maps online. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID, and KU students ride free with their KU Card. Buses run Monday through Saturday. Accessible vehicles serve riders throughout Douglas County.

785-864-4644 · Lawrence, KS 66044 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

6. Manhattan Area Transit (ATA Bus) — Paid

ATA Bus provides public transit service in Manhattan and the surrounding Flint Hills region, with fixed routes, on-demand rides, and accessible service for riders with disabilities. Fathers, K-State students, and Fort Riley service members can get schedules and fares online through Riley County. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run Monday through Saturday with limited rural and paratransit service.

785-537-6345 · Manhattan, KS 66502 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

7. Salina Area Transit (CityGo) — Paid

CityGo provides public bus service for the Salina area with fixed routes and paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and route maps at the City Hall office on W Ash St or online. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays from about 6:30am to 6:30pm. Paratransit requires advance reservation and eligibility screening for door-to-door service.

785-826-7227 · 300 W Ash St, Salina, KS 67401 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6:30pm

8. Hutchinson Area Transportation — Paid

Hutchinson Area Transportation (Reno County Area Transit) provides public transit service for Hutchinson and Reno County, with fixed routes, demand-response service, and paratransit for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and service info online or by phone. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays from about 6:30am to 6pm. Paratransit requires advance reservation for door-to-door service.

620-694-2913 · Hutchinson, KS 67501 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website

9. Flint Hills ATA – Emporia — Paid

Flint Hills ATA Bus provides public transit serving Emporia and Lyon County with fixed routes, demand-response service, and accessible options for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and service info online or by phone weekdays. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays from about 7am to 6pm. Paratransit and rural connector service require advance reservation for door-to-door rides.

620-342-1162 · Emporia, KS 66801 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · Visit Website

10. Garden City Area Transit — Paid

Garden City Area Transit provides public bus service for Garden City and Finney County, serving a diverse community including many multilingual riders, with fixed routes and demand-response options. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and service info by phone weekdays. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays about 7am to 6pm. Advance reservation required for paratransit.

620-276-1200 · Garden City, KS 67846 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm

11. Dodge City Area Transit — Paid

Dodge City Area Transit provides public transit service for Ford County and Dodge City with fixed routes, demand-response rides, and accessible options for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and service info through the city website or by phone weekdays. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays from about 7am to 6pm. Paratransit requires advance reservation for door-to-door service.

620-225-8100 · Dodge City, KS 67801 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · Visit Website

12. Pittsburg Area Transit — Paid

Pittsburg Area Transit provides public transit service for Crawford County with fixed routes and demand-response rides, connecting residents of Pittsburg and surrounding communities to work, school, medical care, and essential services. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and service info by phone weekdays. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays about 7am to 6pm. Advance reservation required for paratransit.

620-231-4170 · Pittsburg, KS 66762 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm

13. Great Bend City Transit — Paid

Great Bend City Transit provides public transit service for Barton County and Great Bend with fixed routes, demand-response rides, and accessible options for riders with disabilities. Fathers can get schedules, fares, and service info through the city website or by phone weekdays. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays from about 7am to 6pm. Paratransit requires advance reservation for door-to-door service.

620-793-4111 · Great Bend, KS 67530 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · Visit Website

14. Junction City Transit — Paid

Junction City Transit provides public transit service for Junction City, Geary County, and the Fort Riley area with fixed routes and demand-response rides. Fathers, active duty service members, and their families can get schedules, fares, and service info by phone weekdays. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and people with disabilities with qualifying ID. Buses run weekdays from about 6:30am to 6pm. Paratransit requires advance reservation for door-to-door service.

785-238-3114 · Junction City, KS 66441 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm

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.