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 North Carolina

17 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 North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina is the primary LSC-funded statewide civil legal aid program.

17 Resources

1. GoTriangle (Regional Transit - Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) — Paid

Regional public transit serving the Research Triangle area including Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, and Apex with bus routes, express service, and vanpool programs. GoTriangle connects major employment centers, universities, and suburban park-and-ride lots. Call 919-485-7433 for schedule and fare information. Located at 4600 Emperor Blvd, Suite 100, Durham. Service varies Mon-Sat with reduced Sunday service on some routes. Monthly passes offer savings for regular commuters.

919-485-7433 · 4600 Emperor Blvd, Suite 100, Durham, NC 27703 · Mon-Sat service; hours vary by route · Visit Website

2. GoRaleigh — Paid

City of Raleigh public bus system with over 20 fixed routes connecting neighborhoods, employment centers, and transit hubs. Affordable fares, ADA-accessible paratransit (R-ACCESS), and a free downtown circulator service are available. Call 919-485-7433 for schedules and trip planning. Located at 4104 Poole Rd, Raleigh. Info center open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm. Monthly passes available for frequent riders. Real-time bus tracking available through the GoPass app.

919-485-7433 · 4104 Poole Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm info center · Visit Website

3. GoDurham Transit — Paid

Durham's public bus system offering fixed-route and on-demand microtransit service throughout the city. GoDurham Connect provides on-demand microtransit in select zones for flexible last-mile travel. ADA paratransit is available for eligible riders. Call 919-485-7433 for schedules and service area information. Located at 515 W Pettigrew St, Durham. Service Mon-Sun 6am-9pm with hours varying by route. Monthly passes available. Real-time tracking through the GoPass mobile app.

919-485-7433 · 515 W Pettigrew St, Durham, NC 27701 · Mon-Sun 6am-9pm · Visit Website

4. CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) — Paid

Charlotte's public transit system operating bus, LYNX Blue Line light rail, Gold Line streetcar, and CATS ADA paratransit across Mecklenburg County. The LYNX Blue Line connects South Charlotte through Uptown to UNC Charlotte. Call 866-799-2287 for schedule and route information. Located at 600 E 4th St, Charlotte. Customer service Mon-Sun 8am-5pm. Monthly passes and reduced-fare programs available. Route and schedule information accessible through the CATS website and mobile apps.

866-799-2287 · 600 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · Mon-Sun 8am-5pm customer service · Visit Website

5. Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) — Paid

Public bus system serving Greensboro with over 15 fixed routes connecting neighborhoods, shopping centers, and employment areas. ADA paratransit (SCAT) serves passengers with disabilities. GTA connects to the PART regional express bus system for travel to Winston-Salem and High Point. Call 336-335-6499 for schedules. Located at 236 E Washington St, Greensboro. Service Mon-Sat with hours varying by route. Monthly passes and reduced-fare programs available for eligible riders.

336-335-6499 · 236 E Washington St, Greensboro, NC 27401 · Mon-Sat service; hours vary by route · Visit Website

6. WAVE Transit (Wilmington) — Paid

Public transportation serving Wilmington and New Hanover County with fixed-route bus service, ADA paratransit (DART), and seasonal beach shuttles during summer months. WAVE Transit connects residential neighborhoods, employment centers, medical facilities, and UNCW campus. Call 910-343-0106 for schedules. Located at 520 N 3rd St, Wilmington. Service Mon-Fri 6am-8pm and Sat 8am-6pm. Monthly passes available. Reduced fare programs available for seniors and passengers with disabilities.

910-343-0106 · 520 N 3rd St, Wilmington, NC 28401 · Mon-Fri 6am-8pm; Sat 8am-6pm · Visit Website

7. NC Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — Free

Free rides to and from Medicaid-covered medical and mental health appointments for NC Medicaid beneficiaries. Schedule at least 2 business days in advance through your managed care health plan or by calling 833-870-5500. Rides cover doctor's offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and mental health clinics. Fathers on Medicaid can use this service for themselves and their children. Statewide coverage. Open Mon-Fri 7am-6pm for scheduling. Rides are provided at no cost to the beneficiary.

833-870-5500 · Statewide · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm (schedule 2+ days ahead) · Visit Website

8. NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division — Free

State agency administering public transit funding, planning, and technical assistance for NC's 98 public transportation systems including rural transit, urban buses, and intercity bus services. Fathers in rural NC areas with limited transportation can find their local rural transit system through NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division. Call 919-707-2601 for referrals to local transit providers. Located at 1550 Mail Service Center, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Rural transit services often run at low or no cost.

919-707-2601 · 1550 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. WSTA (Winston-Salem Transit Authority) — Paid

Public bus system serving Winston-Salem and Forsyth County with fixed routes, ADA paratransit, and express service connecting major destinations including employment centers, medical facilities, and shopping areas. WSTA connects to the PART regional express system for trips to Greensboro and High Point. Call 336-727-2648 for schedules. Located at 1060 N Trade St, Winston-Salem. Service Mon-Sat with hours varying by route. Monthly passes and reduced-fare programs available.

336-727-2648 · 1060 N Trade St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 · Mon-Sat service; hours vary by route · Visit Website

10. FAST (Fayetteville Area System of Transit) — Paid

Public transit serving Fayetteville and Fort Liberty area with fixed routes, ADA paratransit, and connections to military installations and major employment centers. FAST serves both the civilian and military community in Cumberland County. Call 910-433-1749 for schedules. Located at 455 Grove St, Fayetteville. Service Mon-Sat 6am-9pm with hours varying by route. Monthly passes available for regular commuters. Reduced fare programs available for seniors and passengers with disabilities.

910-433-1749 · 455 Grove St, Fayetteville, NC 28301 · Mon-Sat 6am-9pm

11. Asheville Rides Transit (ART) — Paid

Public bus system serving Asheville and Buncombe County with fixed routes connecting major destinations, employment centers, medical facilities, and social services. ART routes link downtown Asheville to residential neighborhoods, the VA medical center, and UNCA campus. Call 828-253-5691 for schedules. Located at 49 Coxe Ave, Asheville. Service Mon-Sat with hours varying by route. Monthly passes available for regular riders. Reduced-fare programs available for seniors and passengers with disabilities.

828-253-5691 · 49 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 · Mon-Sat service; hours vary by route · Visit Website

12. PART (Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation) — Paid

Regional express bus system connecting Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point in the Piedmont Triad with park-and-ride service at multiple intercept lots. PART provides affordable commuter routes between major employment centers in the Triad. Call 336-662-0002 for schedules. Located at 7800 Airport Center Dr, Greensboro. Service Mon-Fri during commuter hours with limited Saturday service. Monthly passes offer savings for regular commuters. Connects to local GTA and WSTA bus systems.

336-662-0002 · 7800 Airport Center Dr, Greensboro, NC 27409 · Mon-Fri commuter hours; Sat limited · Visit Website

13. DAV Transportation Network - NC — Free

Free rides to VA medical appointments for veterans in North Carolina through the Disabled American Veterans volunteer transportation network. DAV volunteer drivers provide free door-to-door service from home to VA facilities for veterans who cannot drive. Schedule through your local VA medical center at least 2 days in advance. Call 919-286-0411 to schedule through the Durham VA or contact your nearest VA facility. Available Mon-Fri with rides scheduled 2 or more days ahead. Free for all eligible veterans.

919-286-0411 · Schedule through local VA medical center · Mon-Fri; schedule 2+ days ahead · Visit Website

14. Chapel Hill Transit — Free

Public transit system serving Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and UNC campus with fare-free fixed route service connecting residential neighborhoods, campus facilities, and commercial districts. Chapel Hill Transit is one of the few fare-free transit systems in NC. Call 919-969-4900 for schedules. Located at 108 Elizabeth St, Chapel Hill. Service Mon-Sat with hours varying by route. Bus tracker app available for real-time arrivals. ADA paratransit available for eligible riders. No cost to board any Chapel Hill Transit bus.

919-969-4900 · 108 Elizabeth St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 · Mon-Sat; hours vary by route · Visit Website

15. Concord Kannapolis Area Transit (CK Rider) — Paid

Public transit serving Concord and Kannapolis in Cabarrus County with fixed routes connecting shopping centers, medical facilities, employment destinations, and residential neighborhoods. CK Rider provides affordable transportation across the Cabarrus County area. Call 704-920-5869 for schedules. Located at 35 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord. Service Mon-Fri 6am-7pm and Sat 8am-5pm. Monthly passes available for regular riders. Reduced-fare programs available for seniors and passengers with disabilities.

704-920-5869 · 35 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord, NC 28025 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Gastonia Transit System — Paid

Public bus service in Gastonia and Gaston County providing fixed route and demand-response transportation to employment, medical facilities, and shopping destinations across the county. Gastonia Transit connects riders to major employers and services in the greater Charlotte metro region. Call 704-866-6856 for schedules. Located at 325 W Main Ave, Gastonia. Service Mon-Fri 6am-6pm with limited Saturday service. Monthly passes available. Reduced-fare programs available for eligible riders.

704-866-6856 · 325 W Main Ave, Gastonia, NC 28052 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm; Sat limited · Visit Website

17. Greenville Area Transit (GREAT) — Paid

Public transit system serving Greenville and Pitt County in eastern NC with fixed routes connecting ECU campus, Vidant Medical Center, commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods. GREAT provides affordable transportation for students, workers, and families in the Greenville area. Call 252-329-4522 for schedules. Located at 200 W 5th St, Greenville. Service Mon-Fri 6:15am-6:45pm with limited Saturday service. Monthly passes available. Reduced-fare programs for seniors and riders with disabilities.

252-329-4522 · 200 W 5th St, Greenville, NC 27858 · Mon-Fri 6:15am-6:45pm; Sat limited · 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.