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 Nebraska

10 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 Nebraska

Nebraska district courts hear family matters in each of its 93 counties, with many counties using county court for paternity and child support. The Child Support Enforcement division operates under DHHS. Omaha and Lincoln dominate the state's population. Legal Aid of Nebraska is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid provider statewide.

10 Resources

1. StarTran – Lincoln Transit — Paid

City of Lincoln's public bus system providing fixed-route service across Lincoln neighborhoods and major destinations Monday through Saturday. The downtown office on J Street sells passes and provides route information during weekday business hours. Fathers can ride with their children; reduced fares are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and students with proper ID. Call or visit the website for schedules, fares, and the StarTran Handi-Van paratransit service.

402-476-1234 · 710 J St, Lincoln, NE 68508 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

2. NDOT – Nebraska Public Transit — Free

Nebraska Department of Transportation's public transit program funds and supports rural transit systems across the state, helping connect residents to work, medical, and social services. The Highway 2 office in Lincoln handles program questions weekdays. Fathers living in rural Nebraska can use the NDOT website to locate the nearest rural transit provider, learn about eligibility, and request service information such as reservation requirements and fares.

402-471-2311 · 1500 Hwy 2, Lincoln, NE 68502 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. RYDE Transit – Scottsbluff — Paid

Public transit service for the western Nebraska panhandle based in Scottsbluff providing fixed-route and demand-response rides weekdays. Fathers can call during business hours to schedule demand-response rides and ask about reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and children. Fares are modest and paid per trip; advance reservations are typically required for demand-response service. Service area and hours may vary by community.

308-635-3060 · Scottsbluff, NE 69361 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Metro Reduced Fare – Omaha — Free

Omaha Metro Transit's reduced-fare program offers discounted bus passes and rides to seniors 65 and older, passengers with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Eligible fathers can apply at the Cuming Street Metro office weekdays with photo ID and supporting documentation (Medicare card or disability verification). Program includes paratransit service for qualifying riders unable to use fixed-route buses. Call ahead to confirm application steps and required paperwork.

402-341-0800 · 2222 Cuming St, Omaha, NE 68102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Norfolk Public Transit — Paid

City of Norfolk public transportation offers weekday demand-response and fixed-route service connecting residents to work, shopping, and medical appointments. Call during business hours to schedule rides and ask about fares, reduced rates for seniors and people with disabilities, and service hours. Fathers should have photo ID and small bills for per-trip fares; reservations are typically required in advance for demand-response trips. Service area covers Norfolk and nearby communities.

402-844-2250 · Norfolk, NE 68701 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Hastings Public Transit — Paid

City of Hastings public transit provides weekday rides to residents within the city limits for work, appointments, and errands. Call during business hours to schedule trips and ask about fares, reduced rates for seniors and people with disabilities, and service rules. Fathers should plan to pay small per-trip fares; reservations are typically required in advance. Service hours and coverage may vary; confirm routing when booking your first ride.

402-461-2341 · Hastings, NE 68901 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Columbus Public Transit — Paid

City of Columbus public transit provides demand-response rides to Columbus and surrounding Platte County residents weekday business hours. Call to schedule trips for work, medical appointments, shopping, or social services. Fathers should ask about reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and children, and plan to make reservations in advance. Per-trip fares are modest; bring small bills and photo ID for first-time rides to speed verification.

402-564-8589 · Columbus, NE 68601 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

8. South Sioux City Transit — Paid

Public transit service for South Sioux City and surrounding Dakota County area providing weekday demand-response and limited fixed-route rides for work, medical, and daily needs. Fathers can call during business hours to schedule trips, ask about fares, and learn about reduced rates for seniors and people with disabilities. Reservations are typically required in advance; bring small bills for per-trip fares and photo ID for first-time rides.

402-494-7520 · South Sioux City, NE 68776 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Beatrice Public Transit — Paid

City of Beatrice public transit provides weekday rides within the city to connect residents with work, medical appointments, and daily errands. Call during business hours to schedule trips and ask about fares, reduced rates for seniors and people with disabilities, and service rules. Fathers should make reservations in advance when possible and plan to pay small per-trip fares. Bring photo ID for first-time rides to speed verification and ongoing scheduling.

402-228-5210 · Beatrice, NE 68310 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Lexington Public Transit — Paid

Public transit service for Lexington and surrounding Dawson County communities providing weekday demand-response rides to work, medical appointments, and essential errands. Fathers can call during business hours to schedule trips, ask about fares, and learn about reduced rates for seniors and people with disabilities. Advance reservations are typically required; bring small bills for per-trip fares and photo ID for first-time rides to speed the process.

308-324-2127 · Lexington, NE 68850 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · 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.