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 Ohio

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 Ohio

Ohio has dedicated Domestic Relations Courts and Juvenile Courts (which handle paternity and unmarried-parent custody) in most counties. The Office of Child Support operates under JFS. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron anchor the major metros. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Community Legal Aid cover the state.

17 Resources

1. COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) — Paid

Columbus metro area public bus system providing fixed-route, express, and COTA Plus paratransit services across Franklin County and surrounding areas. Purchase passes online, at retail locations, or on the bus with exact change. Call 614-228-1776 or visit cota.com for real-time routes, trip planning, and schedules. Customer service available Mon-Fri 6am-7pm. ADA paratransit service available for eligible riders who cannot use fixed-route buses.

614-228-1776 · 33 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215 · Service hours vary by route; customer service Mon-Fri 6am-7pm · Visit Website

2. Greater Cleveland RTA (GCRTA) — Paid

Cleveland's regional public transit system operating bus routes, rapid transit rail lines (Red, Blue, Green, and Waterfront lines), and ADA paratransit services connecting Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and surrounding communities. Call 216-621-9500 Mon-Fri 6am-7pm or visit riderta.com for route maps, schedules, and real-time arrivals. Located at 1240 W 6th St, Cleveland. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities. Passes purchasable online or at fare machines.

216-621-9500 · 1240 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113 · Service hours vary; customer service Mon-Fri 6am-7pm · Visit Website

3. Cincinnati Metro (SORTA) — Paid

Greater Cincinnati's public bus system providing fixed-route and Access paratransit services across Hamilton County and connections into northern Kentucky. Purchase passes online or at transit centers. Call 513-621-4455 or visit go-metro.com for route maps, trip planning tools, and real-time arrivals. Located at 602 Main St, Suite 1100, Cincinnati. ADA paratransit available for eligible riders. Monthly and daily pass options available for regular commuters.

513-621-4455 · 602 Main St, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, OH 45202 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

4. Greater Dayton RTA — Paid

Dayton's regional transit authority operating fixed-route bus service, ADA paratransit, and a downtown trolley across Montgomery County. Call 937-425-8300 or visit iriderta.com for routes, schedules, and trip planning. Located at 4 S Main St, Dayton, OH 45402. Passes available for purchase online and at the transit center. Service hours vary by route — check the website for current schedules and any service alerts before traveling.

937-425-8300 · 4 S Main St, Dayton, OH 45402 · Service hours vary by route

5. METRO RTA (Akron/Summit County) — Paid

Summit County's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service, SCAT ADA paratransit, and express routes connecting Akron and surrounding Summit County communities. Call 330-762-0341 or visit akronmetro.org for routes, schedules, and real-time arrivals. Located at 416 Kenmore Blvd, Akron, OH 44301. SCAT paratransit riders must register in advance for eligibility. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities. Passes available online and onboard.

330-762-0341 · 416 Kenmore Blvd, Akron, OH 44301 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

6. TARTA (Toledo Area Regional Transit) — Paid

Toledo's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service, ADA paratransit, and Call-A-Ride demand-response services throughout the Toledo metro area and Lucas County. Call 419-243-7433 or visit tarta.com for routes, schedules, and trip planning tools. Located at 1127 W Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43610. Passes available at the transit center and online. Call-A-Ride serves riders who cannot access fixed-route buses — call to register and schedule rides.

419-243-7433 · 1127 W Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43610 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

7. Ohio BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) — Paid

Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles handling driver's license issuance, state ID cards, vehicle registration, title transfers, and license plate renewals. Many transactions can be completed online at bmv.ohio.gov — save time by renewing online before visiting a deputy registrar. Call 844-644-6268 for assistance. BMV locations operate in all 88 Ohio counties; hours vary. Bring photo ID and required documents — check the website for what each transaction requires.

844-644-6268 · Locations in all 88 Ohio counties · Varies by location; many Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, some Sat · Visit Website

8. Wheels for Work (Cincinnati) — Paid

Program providing reliable, low-cost used vehicles to working low-income individuals and families in the Cincinnati area to help them maintain stable employment and meet work transportation needs. Call 513-651-2380 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or visit stvincentdepaul.net for program eligibility and current vehicle availability. Located at 1125 Bank St, Cincinnati, OH 45214. Income eligibility applies — applicants must demonstrate employment and need for transportation to maintain their job.

513-651-2380 · 1125 Bank St, Cincinnati, OH 45214 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Ohio Benefits - Transportation Assistance — Free

Ohio Medicaid provides non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for eligible Medicaid members who need rides to covered medical appointments when no other transportation is available. Rides must be arranged through your county Medicaid managed care plan — call the member services number on your Medicaid card first to confirm eligibility and schedule. Call 1-800-324-8680 Mon-Fri 7am-8pm. Trips to covered medical services are provided at no cost to eligible members.

1-800-324-8680 · Contact your Medicaid managed care plan · Mon-Fri 7am-8pm · Visit Website

10. Youngstown WRTA (Western Reserve Transit Authority) — Paid

Public bus service for Mahoning County and the Youngstown area with fixed routes and demand-response paratransit for eligible ADA riders. Call 330-744-8431 Mon-Sat 6am-8pm or visit wrtaonline.com for routes and schedules. Located at 604 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502. Reduced fare passes available for seniors and people with disabilities. Plan your trip using the route maps and schedules available on the WRTA website before boarding.

330-744-8431 · 604 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502 · Mon-Sat 6am-8pm · Visit Website

11. SARTA (Stark Area Regional Transit – Canton) — Paid

Public bus service for Stark County and the Canton area with fixed route buses and ADA paratransit for eligible riders who cannot use fixed-route service. Call 330-477-2782 Mon-Sat 5:30am-10pm or visit sartaonline.com for routes and schedules. Located at 1600 Gateway Blvd SE, Canton, OH 44707. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities. Paratransit riders must register in advance — call SARTA for eligibility and registration details.

330-477-2782 · 1600 Gateway Blvd SE, Canton, OH 44707 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-10pm · Visit Website

12. LAKETRAN (Lake County Transit) — Paid

Public transit for Lake County east of Cleveland with fixed-route bus service and dial-a-ride paratransit for ADA-eligible riders. Call 440-354-6100 or visit laketran.com for routes, schedules, and fare information. Located at 555 Lakeshore Blvd, Painesville, OH 44077. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities. Dial-a-ride paratransit riders must register in advance — call Laketran to check eligibility and schedule your first ride.

440-354-6100 · 555 Lakeshore Blvd, Painesville, OH 44077 · Mon-Sat · Visit Website

13. Portage Area Regional Transit Authority (PARTA) — Paid

Public transit for Portage County and the Kent area with fixed route buses, dial-a-ride demand-response service, and Kent State University campus connections. Call 330-678-7745 Mon-Sat 6am-10pm or visit partaonline.org for routes and schedules. Located at 2000 Summit Rd, Kent, OH 44240. Reduced fares available for seniors and people with disabilities. Dial-a-ride riders must register in advance — call PARTA to check eligibility and set up service.

330-678-7745 · 2000 Summit Rd, Kent, OH 44240 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

14. DAV Hospital Shuttle – Ohio VA Medical Centers — Free

Free volunteer-driven shuttle rides to VA medical centers across Ohio for veterans who need transportation to appointments. DAV volunteer drivers provide scheduled runs to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Chillicothe, and Toledo VA facilities. Call 877-426-2838 or visit dav.org/veterans/i-need-a-ride to find Ohio shuttle schedules. Advance scheduling required — contact the DAV chapter nearest to your VA medical center to arrange your ride.

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

15. Ohio Rides – Non-Emergency Medical Transport — Free

Statewide non-emergency medical transportation broker coordinating rides to medical appointments for eligible Ohio Medicaid members through managed care plans. Call 844-689-8668 Mon-Fri 7am-6pm or visit ohiorides.com to schedule rides. Rides must be scheduled at least 3 business days in advance. Contact your Ohio Medicaid managed care plan first to confirm NEMT eligibility before calling. Trips to covered medical services are provided at no cost to eligible members.

844-689-8668 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm · Visit Website

16. GoBus – Rural Ohio Transit — Paid

Intercity bus service connecting rural Ohio communities to Columbus, Athens, Chillicothe, and other Ohio cities at affordable fares. Serves communities that lack other public transit options. Call 800-686-7433 or visit ridegobus.com for route maps, schedules, and fare information. Buy tickets online or by phone. Service days vary by route — check the website for the most current schedule before planning your trip. Luggage storage available on most routes.

800-686-7433 · Rural Ohio routes · Service days vary by route · Visit Website

17. Ohio DOT – Transit Programs — Free

Ohio Department of Transportation office coordinating rural and small-urban transit funding for Ohio counties without major public transit systems. Distributes federal and state funding to local transit providers serving rural communities statewide. Call 614-466-8955 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit transportation.ohio.gov/programs/transit for information on local transit programs in rural Ohio counties. Located at 1980 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43223.

614-466-8955 · 1980 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43223 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · 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.