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 Missouri

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 Missouri

Missouri circuit courts hear family matters through family court divisions in each of its 45 judicial circuits. The Family Support Division runs child support enforcement under DSS. Kansas City, Saint Louis, Springfield, and Columbia are the largest metros. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, and Mid-Missouri Legal Services cover the state.

15 Resources

1. Metro Transit (St. Louis) — Paid

St. Louis' public transit system operating MetroLink light rail, MetroBus, and Call-A-Ride paratransit across the St. Louis metro for residents of the city and surrounding counties. Dads can buy fares through the Metro app, at vending machines, or on buses. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; the downtown office handles customer service and pass sales during regular business hours.

314-231-2345 · 707 N 1st St, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63102 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

2. City Utilities Transit (Springfield) — Paid

Springfield's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service across the Springfield metro area, operated by City Utilities as part of the municipal services package. Dads can buy fares on board or through monthly passes available at the main office. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; the East Central Street office handles customer service and pass sales during regular business hours.

417-831-8782 · 301 E Central St, Springfield, MO 65802 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

3. Columbia Transit (COMO Connect) — Paid

Columbia's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service and paratransit across the city, with routes connecting University of Missouri, downtown, shopping centers, and residential areas. Dads can buy fares on board or through monthly passes. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; the Bus Loop Drive office handles customer service and pass sales during regular business hours throughout the week.

573-874-7282 · 1901 Bus Loop Dr, Columbia, MO 65202 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

4. Missouri DMV (Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicles) — Paid

Missouri's motor vehicle agency handling driver's licenses, state ID cards, vehicle registration, title transfers, and commercial driver credentials at license offices across the state. Dads needing ID or vehicle services can find the nearest office through the website. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, proof of residency, and any required documents for the specific transaction. Office hours vary by location; many now allow online renewals for most services.

573-526-3669 · Offices across Missouri · Varies by location · Visit Website

5. Missouri 2-1-1 - Transportation Resources — Free

Free statewide helpline connecting residents to local transportation assistance, ride programs, and transit discount programs through trained call specialists. Dads needing help getting to work, medical appointments, or school can dial 211 from any Missouri phone for referrals. Specialists ask about location, need, and eligibility to provide the nearest options. Service is available 24/7 with multilingual support. No identification is required to receive referrals.

211 · Statewide · 24/7

6. Kansas City RideKC Freedom (Paratransit) — Free

ADA paratransit service for Kansas City metro residents with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route transit, operated by KCATA with companion services fare-free like other KCATA routes. Dads or family members with qualifying disabilities can apply for certification through the KCATA office. Bring photo ID and any medical documentation of the disability to the application. Service operates during the same hours as the matching fixed routes across the greater metro.

816-346-0810 · Kansas City metro service area · Service hours match fixed routes · Visit Website

7. Oats Transit (Rural Missouri) — Paid

Rural transit provider serving 87 Missouri counties with demand-response transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, and the general public, scheduled on set days per county. Dads in rural areas can call the nearest regional office to schedule rides for medical appointments, shopping, or employment. Fares are typically by donation or low flat rates. Schedules vary by county, with each county typically served on specific weekdays; call ahead to reserve.

573-443-4516 · 2501 Maguire Blvd, Suite 200, Columbia, MO 65201 · Mon-Fri (schedules vary by county) · Visit Website

8. JeffTran (Jefferson City) — Paid

Jefferson City's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service across the state capital area, operated by the city's transit division with connections to major employers, shopping, and residential neighborhoods. Dads can buy fares on board or through monthly passes. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; the Miller Street office handles customer service and pass sales during regular business hours.

573-634-6444 · 820 E Miller St, Jefferson City, MO 65101 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

9. St. Joseph Transit — Paid

St. Joseph's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service across the city and paratransit for qualifying riders with disabilities, operated by the city with routes serving major employers and neighborhoods. Dads can buy fares on board or through monthly passes. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; the 4th Street office handles customer service and pass sales during regular business hours weekdays.

816-271-5367 · 502 S 4th St, St. Joseph, MO 64501 · Mon-Sat (varies by route) · Visit Website

10. Cape Girardeau Transit Authority — Paid

Cape Girardeau's public transit providing fixed-route and demand-response service in southeast Missouri, with routes serving major employers, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods. Dads can buy fares on board or through monthly passes. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; the Independence Street office handles customer service and pass sales during regular business hours throughout the week across the city.

573-339-6621 · 401 Independence St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 · Mon-Fri (varies by route) · Visit Website

11. Joplin Sunshine Lamp Trolley — Paid

Joplin's public transit system providing fixed-route service across the city and demand-response paratransit for qualifying riders with disabilities, operated by the city transit division. Dads can buy fares on board or through monthly passes. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; the Main Street office handles customer service and pass sales during regular business hours Monday through Saturday for Joplin-area residents.

417-625-4706 · 602 S Main St, Joplin, MO 64801 · Mon-Sat (varies by route) · Visit Website

12. Missouri Rides (MoDOT) — Free

Missouri Department of Transportation resource connecting residents to public transit, paratransit, and ride services available in their area through a centralized statewide database. Dads can use the website or toll-free line to find the nearest services including rural transit, senior and disability rides, and vanpools. The tool does not operate services directly. MoDOT staff answer questions Monday through Friday, with online search available around the clock.

888-275-6636 · Statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Independence IndeRide — Paid

Independence city transit providing fixed-route and paratransit service connecting to the Kansas City metro KCATA system, with routes serving Independence employers, shopping, and residential neighborhoods. Dads can buy fares on board or through monthly passes available at the main office. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and riders with disabilities. Schedules vary by route; customer service and pass sales are handled during regular business hours Monday through Saturday.

816-325-7600 · Independence, MO 64050 · Mon-Sat (varies by route) · Visit Website

14. Amtrak Missouri - Missouri River Runner — Paid

Amtrak passenger rail service running between Kansas City and St. Louis with stops in Independence, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, and Washington. Dads can book tickets online at Amtrak.com, through the mobile app, or by calling the national reservations line. Bring photo ID and printed or mobile tickets to boarding. Trains run daily in both directions on a published schedule; check Amtrak.com for current times, fares, and any service alerts.

1-800-872-7245 · Multiple MO stations · Daily schedule (check Amtrak.com)

15. Greyhound Bus Lines - Missouri — Paid

Intercity bus service connecting Missouri cities including St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Joplin to national destinations, with a statewide station network. Dads can book tickets online at Greyhound.com, through the mobile app, or by calling the national reservations line. Bring photo ID and printed or mobile tickets to boarding. Schedules vary by route and often run multiple daily departures; check Greyhound.com for current times, fares, and any service alerts.

1-800-231-2222 · Stations in major MO cities · Varies by route · 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.