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 Jersey

12 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 Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC-funded programs covering all 21 counties.

12 Resources

1. NJ Transit — Paid

NJ Transit is New Jersey's statewide public transit system operating buses, light rail, and commuter rail connecting all 21 counties to major employment, education, and healthcare centers. Call 973-275-5555 or visit njtransit.com for schedules, fares, and trip planning. Reduced fare programs available for seniors aged 62 and older, disabled riders, and Medicare cardholders. Mobile ticketing available through the NJ Transit app. Customer service available 24/7. Plan your trip using the online trip planner for real-time route options.

973-275-5555 · 1 Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ 07105 · Service hours vary by route; customer service 24/7 · Visit Website

2. PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) — Paid

PATH rapid transit rail system connects Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Harrison to Manhattan with 24/7 weekend service. Call 800-234-7284 or visit panynj.gov/path for schedules and fare information. Stations located in Newark Penn Station, Journal Square, Grove Street, and multiple stops in Jersey City and Hoboken. Accepts MetroCard and OMNY contactless payment. Essential transit link for NJ residents commuting to New York City without the need to drive or use a bridge or tunnel.

800-234-7284 · Stations in Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison · Service approximately 5am-12:30am weekdays; 24/7 weekends · Visit Website

3. Access Link (NJ Transit Paratransit) — Paid

Access Link is NJ Transit's paratransit service providing shared-ride, door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route bus or rail service. Call 973-275-5555 to apply for eligibility and schedule rides. Service area is within 3/4 mile of NJ Transit bus routes. Rides must be scheduled one to three days in advance. ADA-certified eligibility required. Fares are equivalent to regular NJ Transit bus fares. Serves NJ residents with mobility, cognitive, or other qualifying disabilities.

973-275-5555 · Service area within 3/4 mile of NJ Transit bus routes · Same hours as corresponding NJ Transit bus route · Visit Website

4. NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) — Paid

NJ Motor Vehicle Commission is the state's motor vehicle agency handling driver's licenses, non-driver state ID cards, vehicle registration, title transfers, and driving record requests. Call 609-292-6500 or visit nj.gov/mvc for agency locations and online services. Appointments are strongly recommended for in-person visits. Online services include registration renewal, address changes, and license renewal. Bring the required 6 points of ID when applying for a new license or ID card in New Jersey.

609-292-6500 · 39 agency locations across NJ · Varies by location; appointments recommended · Visit Website

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

NJ 2-1-1 connects NJ residents to local transportation assistance, volunteer ride programs, transit discount cards, and non-emergency medical transport resources in their area. Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 for 24-hour assistance. Specialists identify county-specific transportation options including senior ride programs, paratransit services, and community shuttles. Also connects callers to NJ Transit reduced fare programs for seniors, disabled individuals, and Medicare cardholders.

211 · Statewide phone/online service · 24/7 · Visit Website

6. Atlantic City Jitney — Paid

Atlantic City Jitney provides affordable public jitney bus service along the boardwalk and throughout Atlantic City neighborhoods 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 609-344-8642 or visit jitneyac.com for routes and fares. Convenient, frequent service connecting casino areas, residential neighborhoods, and beach communities. Jitneys run on established routes and pick up passengers at designated stops. One of the most affordable and accessible local transportation options for Atlantic City residents and visitors.

609-344-8642 · Atlantic City, NJ · 24/7 service · Visit Website

7. DAV Hospital Shuttle – NJ VA Centers — Free

DAV Hospital Shuttle provides free van rides to VA medical centers in New Jersey for veterans who need transportation to their appointments. Call 877-426-2838 to arrange rides through DAV volunteers. Routes serve VA facilities including the East Orange VA Medical Center and Lyons VA Medical Center. Volunteer drivers are veterans themselves. Rides must typically be scheduled in advance. A vital free resource for NJ veterans without reliable transportation to access their VA healthcare appointments.

877-426-2838 · Routes to NJ VA hospitals · Scheduled runs · Visit Website

8. Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) — Paid

Middlesex County Area Transit provides public bus service connecting communities across Middlesex County in Central NJ. Call 732-745-3866 for routes, fares, and schedules; also at middlesexcountynj.gov. Service operates Monday through Saturday on routes linking major employment centers, hospitals, shopping areas, and residential neighborhoods throughout the county. An affordable local transportation option for Middlesex County residents without personal vehicles or who need supplemental transit service.

732-745-3866 · Middlesex County, NJ · Mon-Sat · Visit Website

9. Bergen County Jitney Bus — Paid

Bergen County Community Transportation provides public bus and jitney service for Bergen County communities with routes connecting to NJ Transit and PATH stations. Call 201-336-6400 or visit co.bergen.nj.us for routes and schedules. Service operates Monday through Friday on routes linking residential neighborhoods to transit hubs, medical facilities, and shopping centers. Reduced fares available for seniors and disabled riders. An affordable local transportation supplement for Bergen County residents needing connections to regional transit.

201-336-6400 · Bergen County, NJ · Mon-Fri · Visit Website

10. Uber/Lyft Medicaid Rides – NJ MCO Partners — Free

Several NJ Medicaid managed care plans partner with Uber and Lyft to provide non-emergency medical transportation for covered members traveling to healthcare appointments. Contact your NJ FamilyCare managed care plan to verify rideshare benefits and request a ride. Check with your specific plan such as Horizon NJ Health, Amerigroup, or WellCare for enrollment in the transportation benefit. Rides to primary care, specialist, and pharmacy appointments may be covered at no cost to enrolled NJ Medicaid members.

Varies by plan · Visit Website

11. NJ DOT – Community Shuttle Program — Paid

NJ DOT Community Shuttle Program funds state-subsidized shuttle services for communities without regular NJ Transit bus or rail service. Call 609-530-2000 or visit state.nj.us/transportation for program information. Availability varies by county and municipality. Contact your local county transportation office to inquire about community shuttle routes serving your area. Service operates Monday through Friday on limited routes. Fares are typically low or free for eligible riders in underserved communities.

609-530-2000 · Mon-Fri · Visit Website

12. GoBus NJ – Vanpool Program — Paid

GoBus NJ is NJ Transit's vanpool program for commuters looking to share rides to work in groups of 5 to 15 people using subsidized NJ Transit vans. Call 973-275-5555 or visit njtransit.com/vanpool for program details. Vanpools operate during commuter hours on established routes. Cost-effective alternative to solo driving; participants share fuel and program costs. Ideal for NJ residents commuting to job centers not well-served by fixed-route transit. Dedicated driver options and flexible scheduling available.

973-275-5555 · Commuter hours · 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.