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 Mexico

11 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 Mexico

New Mexico district courts handle divorce and custody in each of its 13 judicial districts. The Child Support Enforcement Division operates under HSD. Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe are the largest cities. New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid organization.

11 Resources

1. ABQ RIDE – Albuquerque Transit — Paid

Public bus service for the Albuquerque metro area, including fixed-route city buses and Rapid Ride service along major corridors. Reduced fares are available for seniors, students, and low-income riders through the HOP pass. Dads can plan trips, buy passes, or get information at 100 1st St NW. Call 505-243-7433 or visit cabq.gov/transit. Service runs Monday through Saturday 5:30am to 10pm.

505-243-7433 · 100 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-10pm · Visit Website

2. Santa Fe Trails – City Transit — Paid

Public bus service in Santa Fe providing fixed-route coverage of major neighborhoods, shopping districts, and government centers. Fares are low with reduced rates for seniors and students. Dads can plan trips, buy passes, or ask about paratransit at city offices. Call 505-955-2001 or visit santafenm.gov/transit for route maps. Service runs Monday through Saturday 6am to 10pm.

505-955-2001 · Santa Fe, NM 87501 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

3. NMDOT – Public Transit Division — Free

State transit programs and rural transportation coordination through the New Mexico Department of Transportation, funding local transit agencies, tribal transit, and senior/disabled services statewide. Dads can find nearby providers and program information from 1120 Cerrillos Rd in Santa Fe. Call 505-795-1904 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm or visit dot.nm.gov. Many funded services are free or low-cost.

505-795-1904 · 1120 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87504 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Zia Therapy Center Transit – Alamogordo — Paid

Public transit service in southern New Mexico operated by Zia Therapy Center, serving Alamogordo and nearby communities with fixed-route and demand-response options. Dads without a car can ride to work, medical appointments, and errands at low fares. Call 575-439-0234 Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm or visit ziatherapy.org for schedules, eligibility, and paratransit requirements.

575-439-0234 · Alamogordo, NM 88310 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Rio Metro Regional Transit – Rio Rancho — Paid

Regional bus service connecting Rio Rancho to Albuquerque and other Sandoval County communities, including commuter routes and links to the Rail Runner commuter train. Dads can use buses for work, school, and errands at low fares with reduced rates for seniors and students. Call 505-724-3100 Monday through Friday 6am to 7pm or find schedules at riometro.org.

505-724-3100 · Rio Rancho, NM 87124 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm · Visit Website

6. Clovis Area Transit System — Paid

Public bus service for the Clovis area in eastern New Mexico, providing fixed-route coverage of major neighborhoods, shopping, healthcare, and government destinations. Dads can ride at low fares with reduced rates for seniors and students. Call 575-769-7835 Monday through Friday 7am to 6pm or visit cityofclovis.org for routes, schedules, and paratransit eligibility. Service supports Curry County residents.

575-769-7835 · Clovis, NM 88101 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · Visit Website

7. Roswell Public Transit — Paid

Fixed-route and demand-response transit service in Roswell and Chaves County, helping residents reach jobs, medical appointments, and shopping at low fares. Dads without a car can ride fixed-route buses during scheduled hours or request paratransit for qualifying trips. Call 575-624-6766 Monday through Friday 7am to 6pm or visit roswell-nm.gov for routes, schedules, and eligibility.

575-624-6766 · Roswell, NM 88201 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · Visit Website

8. Silver City Transit — Paid

Public bus service for Silver City and Grant County in southwest New Mexico, offering fixed-route coverage of key neighborhoods, government offices, shopping, and healthcare destinations. Fares are low with reduced rates for seniors and students. Dads can call 575-388-4501 Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm or visit townofsilvercity.org for route maps, schedules, and information about paratransit.

575-388-4501 · Silver City, NM 88061 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Taos Chile Line – City Transit — Free

Fare-free public bus service for the Taos area, operating fixed routes connecting downtown, residential neighborhoods, and key destinations in Taos County. Dads without a car can ride any time during service hours without paying a fare. Call 575-751-4459 or visit taosgov.com for route maps, schedules, and holiday changes. Service runs Monday through Saturday 7am to 6pm year-round.

575-751-4459 · Taos, NM 87571 · Mon-Sat 7am-6pm · Visit Website

10. Carlsbad Transit — Paid

Public transit service for the Carlsbad area in southeast New Mexico, providing fixed-route and demand-response trips to jobs, healthcare, and shopping at low fares. Dads without a car can use fixed routes during scheduled hours or request paratransit where eligible. Call 575-885-1185 Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm or visit cityofcarlsbadnm.com for route information and schedules.

575-885-1185 · Carlsbad, NM 88220 · Mon-Fri 7am-5pm · Visit Website

11. North Central Regional Transit – Espanola — Free

Free public transit serving northern New Mexico communities including Espanola, Taos, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and surrounding pueblos and rural areas. NCRTD routes help dads reach work, school, medical appointments, and shopping without a car. Call 866-206-0754 Monday through Saturday 6am to 8pm or visit ncrtd.org for routes, schedules, and connections to other transit systems across the region.

866-206-0754 · Espanola, NM 87532 · Mon-Sat 6am-8pm · 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.