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 Montana

7 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 Montana

Montana district courts handle family matters in each of its 56 counties across 22 judicial districts. The Child Support Services Division operates under DPHHS. Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman are the largest cities. Montana Legal Services Association is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program, with extensive online self-help for pro se litigants.

7 Resources

1. Mountain Line – Missoula Transit — Free

Mountain Line operates zero-fare public bus service throughout Missoula connecting neighborhoods with downtown, the University of Montana, schools, and medical facilities. Fathers can ride any fixed route at no cost, and paratransit is available for riders with disabilities who cannot use the fixed route. Real-time arrival info, route maps, and trip planning are available on the Mountain Line website and the Transit app.

406-721-3333 · 1221 Shakespeare St, Missoula, MT 59802 · Mon-Sat 6am-9pm · Visit Website

2. MET Transit – Billings — Paid

Billings' public bus system (MET Transit) operates fixed routes across the city Monday through Saturday, connecting schools, medical centers, shopping, and employment hubs. Fathers can buy one-ride fares, day passes, or discounted monthly passes; reduced fares are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and students with ID. Paratransit service (MET Plus) serves eligible riders who cannot use the fixed route.

406-657-8218 · 211 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 · Mon-Sat 6am-6pm · Visit Website

3. Great Falls Transit District — Paid

Great Falls Transit District runs fixed-route buses across the city Monday through Saturday, linking residential neighborhoods with schools, hospitals, shopping, and employment centers. Fathers can buy single-ride tickets, day passes, or monthly passes; reduced fares are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare card holders. Paratransit service is offered to ADA-eligible riders who cannot use the fixed route.

406-727-0382 · Great Falls, MT 59401 · Mon-Sat 6am-6pm

4. MDT – Montana Public Transit — Free

Montana Department of Transportation's Transit Section coordinates funding and technical support for local, small urban, and rural transit providers across the state. Fathers in rural counties can use the MDT directory to find their local provider — often offering demand-response rides to medical appointments, work, and shopping. Call the Helena office for general transit questions or to report accessibility issues on state-supported service.

406-444-6200 · 2701 Prospect Ave, Helena, MT 59620 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Eagle Transit – Helena — Paid

Helena-area public transit service offering fixed-route and demand-response rides for residents of the capital city and surrounding Lewis and Clark County. Fathers can schedule rides to work, school, medical appointments, and shopping; reduced fares are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Ride reservations and route details are available by phone or on the Eagle Transit website.

406-447-1580 · Helena, MT 59601 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

6. GALAVAN – Bozeman Paratransit — Paid

GALAVAN provides demand-response paratransit rides in the Bozeman area for seniors age 60+ and individuals with disabilities who cannot use the fixed-route Streamline bus. Fathers caring for older parents or disabled family members can call to schedule rides to medical appointments, the grocery store, or community services. Rides are by appointment and operate on a modest donation or fare schedule.

406-587-2434 · Bozeman, MT 59715 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Kalispell – EAGLE Transit — Paid

EAGLE Transit provides public transportation serving the Flathead Valley including Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls with fixed routes and demand-response rides. Fathers can schedule trips to work, medical appointments, and shopping; reduced fares are available for seniors and people with disabilities. Schedules, reservation information, and fare details are available by phone or on the Flathead County transit website.

406-758-5728 · Kalispell, MT 59901 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · 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.