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 New Hampshire

13 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 New Hampshire

New Hampshire's Circuit Court Family Division handles all family matters statewide. The Division of Child Support Services operates under DHHS. Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and Dover are the largest cities. 603 Legal Aid is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program, with a strong self-help website for pro se fathers.

13 Resources

1. Manchester Transit Authority — Paid

Manchester Transit Authority operates fixed-route city bus service for the Manchester area Monday through Saturday 6am to 7pm. Fathers without a car can reach jobs, medical appointments, courts, and schools using MTA routes connecting downtown, malls, and neighborhoods. Call 603-623-8801 for schedules, fares, and reduced-fare passes for seniors, students, and people with disabilities. The Elm Street center is the transfer hub. ADA paratransit is available for qualifying riders.

603-623-8801 · 110 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

2. Nashua Transit System — Paid

Nashua Transit System operates fixed-route city bus service for the Nashua area Monday through Saturday 6am to 7pm. Fathers without reliable transportation can use NTS to reach work, medical appointments, courts, and schools across the city. Call 603-888-0100 for schedules, fares, and reduced-fare pass information for seniors, students, and people with disabilities. The Riverside Street facility serves as the operations base. ADA paratransit is available for qualifying riders.

603-888-0100 · 11 Riverside St, Nashua, NH 03062 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm

3. COAST – Seacoast Transit — Paid

COAST operates fixed-route bus service across the seacoast region Monday through Saturday 6am to 7pm, connecting Dover, Portsmouth, Rochester, and surrounding towns. Fathers without a car can reach jobs, medical appointments, and courts using COAST routes. Call 603-743-5777 for schedules, fares, and reduced-fare pass information for seniors, students, and people with disabilities. The Sumner Drive Dover facility is the operations base. ADA paratransit is available for riders who qualify.

603-743-5777 · 42 Sumner Dr, Dover, NH 03820 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

4. Concord Area Transit (CAT) — Paid

Concord Area Transit operates fixed-route bus service for Concord Monday through Friday 6am to 6pm, connecting downtown, shopping areas, medical centers, and residential neighborhoods. Fathers without a car can use CAT to reach work, courts, and appointments across the capital city. Call 603-225-1989 for schedules, fare information, and reduced-fare pass options for seniors, students, and people with disabilities. ADA paratransit is available for riders qualifying based on disability.

603-225-1989 · Concord, NH 03301 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

5. NHDOT – Public Transit Bureau — Free

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation's Public Transit Bureau oversees state transit programs and supports rural transportation services statewide. Fathers living outside urban transit systems can call 603-271-3734 Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm or visit the Hazen Drive Concord office for help identifying rural demand-response, volunteer driver, and medical ride programs. Many services are free or donation-based for eligible seniors, disabled, and low-income riders.

603-271-3734 · 7 Hazen Dr, Concord, NH 03302 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. Advance Transit – Upper Valley — Free

Advance Transit operates free fixed-route bus service across the Upper Valley connecting Lebanon, Hanover, White River Junction, Vermont, and surrounding towns Monday through Saturday 6am to 6pm. Fathers can ride any route at no cost to reach jobs, medical appointments at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and schools. Call 802-295-1824 for schedules and route details. The White River Junction facility serves as the operations hub. No fare card or registration is needed; step aboard at any marked stop.

802-295-1824 · 96 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001 · Mon-Sat 6am-6pm · Visit Website

7. Winnipesaukee Transit System – Laconia — Paid

Winnipesaukee Transit System operates fixed-route bus service for the Lakes Region Monday through Saturday 7am to 6pm connecting Laconia and surrounding towns. Fathers without reliable transportation can use WTS routes to reach work, medical appointments, courts, and schools across Belknap County. Call 603-528-2496 for schedules, fares, and reduced-fare pass information for seniors, students, and people with disabilities. ADA paratransit is available for qualifying riders.

603-528-2496 · Laconia, NH 03246 · Mon-Sat 7am-6pm

8. Boston Express – NH to Boston — Paid

Boston Express operates daily commuter bus service between Manchester, Nashua, and Boston's South Station and Logan Airport, with multiple departures from early morning to late evening. Fathers commuting to Boston for work, court, or medical appointments can book online or call 603-621-0100. The Canal Street Manchester terminal offers paid parking and indoor waiting. Bring booking confirmation and photo ID to board. Young children travel free with a paying adult; check the website.

603-621-0100 · 1 Canal St, Manchester, NH 03101 · Daily multiple departures · Visit Website

9. Concord Coach Lines — Paid

Concord Coach Lines runs daily intercity bus service from New Hampshire to Boston and Portland with stops in Concord, Manchester, Portsmouth, and other locations. Fathers needing long-distance transportation for work, medical care, or family visits can book online or call 603-228-3300. The Stickney Avenue Concord terminal offers parking and indoor waiting. Bring booking confirmation and photo ID to board. Discounts for students, military, and seniors; young kids travel free with a paying adult.

603-228-3300 · 30 Stickney Ave, Concord, NH 03301 · Daily multiple departures · Visit Website

10. Keene CityExpress Bus — Free

Keene CityExpress operates free fixed-route bus service within the City of Keene Monday through Saturday 7am to 6pm, connecting downtown, shopping areas, Keene State College, and residential neighborhoods. Fathers can ride any route at no cost to reach work, medical appointments, and schools. Call 603-352-8494 for schedules and route details. Operated by Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services. No fare card, pass, or registration is needed to ride; just step aboard at any marked stop.

603-352-8494 · Keene, NH 03431 · Mon-Sat 7am-6pm · Visit Website

11. ServiceLink – Transportation Referral — Free

ServiceLink Aging and Disability Resource Center helps New Hampshire older adults, disabled individuals, and their caregivers find transportation options including volunteer driver programs, medical rides, and subsidized transit. Fathers caring for an aging parent or disabled family member can call 866-634-9412 Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm for free, no-obligation referrals. Have the rider's address, eligibility category, and typical trip purpose ready when calling.

866-634-9412 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

12. Amtrak – Claremont Station — Paid

Amtrak's Vermonter line serves Claremont Junction daily with service connecting New Hampshire to Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Washington, D.C. Fathers traveling long distances for work, medical care, or family visits can book tickets online or by calling 800-872-7245. The Claremont Junction platform is unstaffed, so tickets must be purchased in advance. Bring booking confirmation and photo ID. Reduced fares for children, seniors, military, and disabled riders.

800-872-7245 · Claremont Junction, Claremont, NH 03743 · Daily schedule

13. Sullivan County Transportation — Paid

Sullivan County Transportation provides demand-response public transit for Sullivan County residents Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm, including rides for medical appointments, shopping, work, and court dates. Fathers without reliable transportation can call 603-542-9609 to schedule a ride, typically with 24-48 hours notice. Fares are modest with reduced rates for seniors, disabled residents, and low-income riders. ADA-accessible vehicles available. Have trip details ready when scheduling.

603-542-9609 · Claremont, NH 03743 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm

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.