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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services (Pittsburgh), and MidPenn Legal Services cover most of the state.

17 Resources

1. SEPTA (Southeastern PA Transportation Authority) — Paid

Philadelphia region's public transit system serving five counties with buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail lines. Reduced fare programs are available for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income riders through the Fare Assistance Program. Fathers who commute to work or travel to appointments in the Philadelphia area can use SEPTA's trip planner at septa.org or call 215-580-7800 for route and schedule information.

215-580-7800 · 1234 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 · Customer Service Mon-Fri 6am-8pm · Visit Website

2. Pittsburgh Regional Transit — Paid

Pittsburgh area's public transit system providing bus, light rail (T), and incline service throughout Allegheny County with reduced fare programs for seniors and persons with disabilities. Fathers commuting to work or traveling to services in the Pittsburgh metro area can plan trips using the PRT trip planner at rideprt.org or call 412-442-2000 for schedule information. Monthly passes offer savings for regular commuters.

412-442-2000 · 345 Sixth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 · Customer Service Mon-Fri 6am-7pm · Visit Website

3. PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services — Paid

Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation providing driver's license services, state ID cards, vehicle registration, and title services at Photo License Centers and online at dmv.pa.gov. Fathers can renew licenses, update addresses, obtain a REAL ID, and register vehicles online or in person. PennDOT also manages road safety programs and provides transportation data. Call 717-412-5300 for general PennDOT assistance.

717-412-5300 · 1101 S Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Rabbittransit (Central PA Transit) — Paid

Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority providing fixed-route bus service, shared ride programs, and paratransit across York, Adams, and 8 additional central Pennsylvania counties. Rabbittransit serves a large rural and suburban region with both regular and demand-responsive services. Fathers commuting to work or accessing healthcare appointments in central PA can call Rabbittransit at 800-632-9063 or visit rabbittransit.org for schedules.

717-846-7433 · 415 Zarfoss Dr, York, PA 17404 · Office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. LANTA (Lehigh & Northampton Transportation) — Paid

Lehigh Valley's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service throughout Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton and LANtaVan paratransit with reduced fare programs for seniors and persons with disabilities. Fathers in the Lehigh Valley commuting to work or accessing services can call 610-776-7433 or visit lantabus.com for route maps, schedules, and fare information including monthly pass options.

610-776-7433 · 1060 Lehigh St, Allentown, PA 18103 · Office Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

6. PA Turnpike E-ZPass — Paid

Electronic toll collection system offering discounted toll rates for E-ZPass users on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other toll facilities. Fathers who commute regularly on PA toll roads can save significantly with an E-ZPass transponder compared to cash tolls. Open an account at paturnpike.com or call 877-736-6727. Payment plans and low-income discount programs may be available for qualifying PA residents.

1-877-736-6727 · 300 East Park Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17111 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website

7. PA Medical Assistance Transportation (MATP) — Free

Free transportation to medical appointments for Pennsylvania Medicaid recipients, arranging rides via vans, taxis, buses, or accessible vehicles through county-based MATP providers in all 67 counties. Fathers on Medical Assistance can call their county MATP provider to arrange free rides to doctor visits, hospital appointments, pharmacy pickups, and other medical destinations. Rides must typically be scheduled 2 to 3 days in advance.

1-800-524-2766 · County-based providers statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. PennDOT Find My Ride Program — Free

Online portal connecting Pennsylvanians to affordable transportation assistance including shared ride services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals. The PennDOT Find My Ride tool at findmyride.pa.gov helps residents locate the transportation options available in their county. Fathers who need help getting to work, medical appointments, or other destinations can use this tool to find available programs in their area.

1-800-524-2766 · Statewide · Portal 24/7; phone Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. COLTS (County of Lackawanna Transit System) — Paid

Provides fixed-route bus service and shared ride paratransit throughout the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area with reduced fare programs for seniors and persons with disabilities. COLTS serves Lackawanna County and connects to regional destinations. Fathers commuting to work or accessing services in the Scranton area can call COLTS at 570-346-2061 or visit coltsbus.com for routes, schedules, and fare information.

570-346-2061 · 800 N State St, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-9pm · Visit Website

10. Red Rose Transit Authority (Lancaster) — Paid

Provides fixed-route bus service and shared ride paratransit throughout Lancaster County with affordable fares and reduced-rate monthly passes. Red Rose Transit connects Lancaster city with surrounding communities. Fathers commuting to work or accessing services in Lancaster County can call RRTA at 717-397-5613 or visit redrosetransit.com for route maps, schedules, and information about reduced fare programs.

717-397-4246 · 45 Erick Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-10pm · Visit Website

11. BARTA (Berks Area Regional Transit Authority) — Paid

Reading-area public transit authority providing fixed-route bus service throughout the Reading metro area and shared ride programs for Berks County with reduced fares for seniors and persons with disabilities. Fathers commuting to work or accessing services in the Reading area can call BARTA at 610-921-0601 or visit bartabus.com for route information, schedules, and current fare pricing including monthly pass options.

610-921-0601 · 1700 N 11th St, Reading, PA 19604 · Mon-Sat 5am-10pm · Visit Website

12. EMTA (Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority) — Paid

Erie's public transit system providing fixed-route bus service, paratransit, and shared ride programs throughout Erie County for seniors and persons with disabilities. EMTA connects Erie neighborhoods with employment centers, healthcare facilities, and community destinations. Fathers commuting to work or accessing services in Erie can call EMTA at 814-452-3515 or visit ride-emta.com for routes, schedules, and fare information.

814-452-3515 · 127 E 14th St, Erie, PA 16503 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-10pm

13. CAT (Capital Area Transit - Harrisburg) — Paid

Provides bus service throughout the greater Harrisburg area including Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, and Carlisle with reduced fares for seniors and persons with disabilities and paratransit services. CAT connects Harrisburg neighborhoods with employment, healthcare, and community destinations. Fathers commuting or accessing services in the Harrisburg area can call 717-238-8304 or visit catchacat.org for schedules and route maps.

717-238-8304 · 901 N Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17101 · Mon-Sat 5am-10pm

14. Amtrak Keystone Service — Paid

Passenger rail service connecting Philadelphia, Paoli, Exton, Downingtown, Coatesville, Lancaster, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, Middletown, and Harrisburg along the Keystone Corridor with multiple daily round trips. Fathers traveling between central PA and Philadelphia for work or family can book tickets at amtrak.com. Monthly rail passes are available for frequent commuters. Trains have accessible accommodations and bike storage.

1-800-872-7245 · 30th Street Station, 2955 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 · Multiple daily departures

15. Shared Ride Program for Persons with Disabilities — Paid

PennDOT-funded program providing door-to-door shared ride transportation for persons with disabilities at significantly reduced fares through local transit agencies in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Fathers with a qualifying disability can register with their county transit agency to access shared ride services at a fraction of regular taxi or rideshare costs. Contact your county transit agency or call 211 to find your local program.

1-800-524-2766 · Available in all 67 PA counties · Mon-Sat (hours vary by county) · Visit Website

16. Indego Bike Share (Philadelphia) — Paid

Philadelphia's public bike share system with 180+ stations across the city providing affordable transportation including a low-income membership program called Indego Access at $5 per month for qualifying riders. Standard monthly memberships are also available at a modest cost. Fathers who live or work near bike share stations can use Indego as an affordable last-mile transportation option. Sign up at rideindego.com.

Stations throughout Philadelphia · 24/7 · Visit Website

17. PART (Pottsville Area Rapid Transit) — Paid

Provides bus service in Schuylkill County connecting Pottsville, Minersville, Frackville, and surrounding communities with shared ride and paratransit services for seniors and persons with disabilities. PART is the primary public transportation option in Schuylkill County. Fathers commuting to work or accessing services in the Pottsville area can call PART for schedule information, fares, and eligibility for reduced-cost shared ride services.

570-622-1550 · 900 E Norwegian St, Pottsville, PA 17901 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

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.