MNDOT – Transit Assistance

Transportation · Minnesota · Free

MnDOT administers state transportation assistance programs including Greater Minnesota public transit systems, rural rideshare programs, and transportation options for underserved populations outside the Twin Cities metro. Dads in outstate Minnesota can use the MnDOT website to find local transit providers, vanpool programs, and ride-matching services. Programs vary by region; contact MnDOT's Office of Transit and Active Transportation or your regional transit authority for information on services available in your area.

Contact & Details

Address: 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone: 651-296-3000

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 Minnesota

Minnesota district courts hear family matters across its 87 counties. The Child Support Enforcement Division operates under DHS. Minneapolis-Saint Paul anchors the state; Rochester, Duluth, and Bloomington are other major metros. Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid cover the state through regional LSC-funded programs.

More Transportation in Minnesota

  • Metro Transit — Metro Transit operates an extensive bus and light rail network throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, connecting neighborhoods, emp
  • Transit Assistance Program – Metro Transit — The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) through Metro Transit provides reduced-fare bus and light rail passes for low-income riders in the Minn
  • Metro Mobility – Paratransit — Metro Mobility provides door-to-door paratransit service for certified riders in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area who are unable to indep
  • Newtrax – Employment Transportation — Newtrax provides specialized transportation assistance for people with disabilities to get to and from work in the Twin Cities area. Dads wi
  • Volunteers of America – Transportation — Volunteers of America Minnesota operates volunteer driver programs that provide transportation for seniors and people with disabilities to m
  • Arrowhead Transit — Arrowhead Transit provides public bus service connecting rural communities across northeastern Minnesota, including the Iron Range, Boundary

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.