Best Transportation in Massachusetts — 15 resources

About Transportation

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.

15 Resources

1. MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority)

Boston's public transit system operating subway (the T), bus, commuter rail, ferry, and paratransit (The RIDE) services across eastern Massachusetts. Fares are paid via CharlieCard or CharlieTicket; reduced fares available for eligible riders. Apply for reduced fares at the CharlieCard Store at Downtown Crossing. Trip planning, schedules, service alerts, and customer service are available through the MBTA website and app. Paratransit requires separate eligibility application.

617-222-3200 · 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4510, Boston, MA 02116 · Service hours vary by line/route · Visit Website

2. PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority)

Springfield-area transit authority serving 24 communities in the Pioneer Valley region (Hampden, Hampshire, and parts of Franklin Counties) with fixed-route bus and complementary paratransit services. Fares are paid in cash on the bus or via the PVTA Bus Tracker app. Reduced fares are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders with an approved ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; riders with disabilities apply for paratransit.

413-781-7882 · 2808 Main St, Springfield, MA 01107 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

3. WRTA (Worcester Regional Transit Authority)

Worcester Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service across central Massachusetts including Worcester and surrounding communities, plus ADA paratransit for eligible riders with disabilities. Fares are paid in cash on the bus or via the WRTA Go app. Reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and students with approved ID cards. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; paratransit riders must complete a separate eligibility application.

508-791-9782 · 287 Grove St, Worcester, MA 01605 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

4. LRTA (Lowell Regional Transit Authority)

Lowell Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit across the Lowell and Merrimack Valley area including Lowell, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, and Westford. Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities with an LRTA ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; paratransit riders must complete a separate eligibility application through LRTA's paratransit coordinator.

978-452-6161 · 115 Thorndike St, Lowell, MA 01852 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

5. SRTA (Southeastern Regional Transit Authority)

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit across southeastern Massachusetts including New Bedford, Fall River, and surrounding towns. Fares are paid in cash on the bus or via the SRTA Go app. Reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders with an approved ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; paratransit riders must complete a separate eligibility application.

508-999-5211 · 700 Pleasant St, Suite 550, New Bedford, MA 02740 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

6. Massachusetts RMV

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles handles driver's licenses, state ID cards, Learner's Permits, REAL ID, vehicle registration, title transfers, and road tests. Many services are online at mass.gov/rmv; others require an in-person appointment at a Service Center. For in-person visits, schedule online; bring photo ID, Social Security documentation, proof of MA residency (two documents), and payment. Fees vary by service; some offices allow walk-in registry services but lines can be long.

857-368-8000 · Offices across Massachusetts · Varies by location · Visit Website

7. MBTA Reduced Fare Program

Reduced fares on all MBTA subway, bus, commuter rail, and ferry services for seniors age 65+, people with disabilities (including Reduced Fare CharlieCard for PCA-certified disabilities), and Medicare cardholders. Apply in person at the CharlieCard Store at Downtown Crossing; bring photo ID, proof of age or Medicare card, or documentation of qualifying disability from a medical provider. Youth ages 5-11 ride free with a paying adult; youth passes also available for ages 12-25.

617-222-3200 · Apply at MBTA CharlieCard store · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

8. BRTA (Berkshire Regional Transit Authority)

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service and demand-response paratransit across Berkshire County in western Massachusetts including Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington, and surrounding towns. Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities with an approved ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; paratransit riders must complete a separate eligibility application through BRTA.

413-499-2782 · 1 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

9. CATA (Cape Ann Transportation Authority)

Cape Ann Transportation Authority providing fixed-route bus service and demand-response services to Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, and Ipswich on Boston's North Shore. Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders with an approved ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; demand-response riders should call ahead to schedule a pickup.

978-283-7916 · Gloucester, MA 01930 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

10. CCRTA (Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority)

Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service, seasonal trolleys, and demand-response paratransit across Barnstable County (all 15 towns on Cape Cod). Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities with an approved ID card. DART (Dial-A-Ride) service provides door-to-door pre-scheduled rides. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; DART riders call ahead to schedule a pickup.

508-385-1430 · Barnstable, MA 02630 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

11. GATRA (Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit)

Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service and demand-response paratransit to 30+ southeastern Massachusetts communities including Attleboro, Taunton, Plainville, Mansfield, Norton, Foxboro, Wareham, and Middleboro. Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities with an approved ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; paratransit riders must complete eligibility.

508-222-6106 · 10 Oak St, Taunton, MA 02780 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

12. MART (Montachusett Regional Transit Authority)

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service and demand-response paratransit across north-central Massachusetts including Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Athol, and Orange. Also coordinates MassHealth non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members in its region. Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website.

978-345-7711 · 1427 Water St, Fitchburg, MA 01420 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

13. MVRTA (Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority)

Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service, EZ Trans demand-response, and ADA paratransit across the Merrimack Valley including Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover, Amesbury, and Newburyport. Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders with an approved ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; paratransit needs eligibility.

978-469-6878 · 85 Railroad Ave, Haverhill, MA 01835 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

14. FRTA (Franklin Regional Transit Authority)

Franklin Regional Transit Authority providing fixed-route bus service and demand-response transportation across Franklin County in northwestern Massachusetts including Greenfield, Turners Falls, Shelburne Falls, and surrounding towns. Fares are paid in cash on the bus. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities with an approved ID card. Schedules, route maps, and fare info are on the website; demand-response riders should call ahead to schedule a pickup.

413-774-2262 · 12 Olive St, Greenfield, MA 01301 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

15. Massachusetts Good News Garage — Free

Nonprofit providing affordable donated vehicles (typically refurbished sedans) to low-income Massachusetts residents who need transportation for work, childcare, or medical care. Referrals generally come through state agencies or partner community organizations (DTA, DCF, workforce partners), but self-applications are sometimes accepted. Participants pay a modest fee and receive a limited warranty. Apply online or through your caseworker; bring photo ID, proof of income, and proof of need.

877-822-7463 · Massachusetts (apply online) · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Massachusetts?
Men's Corner tracks 15 transportation resources for men and fathers in Massachusetts.
Are transportation resources in Massachusetts free?
1 of the 15 listed transportation resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Massachusetts have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Boston, Springfield, Worcester, Lowell, New Bedford, Pittsfield.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Massachusetts?
Featured entries include MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority), PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority), WRTA (Worcester Regional Transit Authority), LRTA (Lowell Regional Transit Authority), SRTA (Southeastern Regional Transit Authority).
Do these listings include phone numbers?
15 of 15 Massachusetts transportation listings include phone numbers.
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.