Amtrak Empire Builder — North Dakota

Transportation · North Dakota · Paid

Long-distance passenger-rail service stopping at multiple North Dakota stations including Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Williston on the Chicago-Seattle Empire Builder route. Reservations are available 24/7 online at amtrak.com or by phone at (800) 872-7245. Ticket prices vary by seat class and date. Useful for fathers traveling long distances for custody or work. Bring photo ID and a printed or mobile ticket when you board the train.

Contact & Details

Address: Multiple stations: Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston

Phone: (800) 872-7245

Hours: Varies by schedule

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 Dakota

North Dakota district courts handle family matters across seven judicial districts. The Child Support Division operates under DHHS. Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot are the largest cities. Legal Services of North Dakota is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Transportation in North Dakota

  • MATBUS — Fargo-Moorhead Transit — Public transit bus service operating fixed routes across the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area including connections to colleges, medical cen
  • Bis-Man Transit — Public bus service operating fixed routes and paratransit across the Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area including connections to government o
  • Cities Area Transit — Grand Forks — Public transit service operating fixed routes and paratransit across Grand Forks and East Grand Forks including connections to the Universit
  • Minot City Transit — Public bus service operating fixed routes across the Minot area connecting residential neighborhoods to downtown, Minot State University, me
  • ND 211 Transportation Resources — Free 24/7 helpline connecting North Dakota families with gas-card assistance, medical-ride programs, rural volunteer-driver services, and pu
  • Jefferson Lines — North Dakota — Intercity motor-coach bus service connecting North Dakota cities including Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Minot to regional destinations

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.