Community Action – Transportation

Transportation · Rhode Island · Free

Transportation assistance for low-income Rhode Island residents coordinated through community action agencies, with the Providence hub at 401-351-2750. Programs may include medical rides, job-related travel help, and referrals to bus pass programs for fathers and families. Call during business hours to check availability in your town. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, proof of income, and documentation of the appointment or job you need to reach.

Contact & Details

Address: Providence, RI 02903

Phone: 401-351-2750

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island Family Court is a statewide system handling all divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket are the largest cities. Rhode Island Legal Services is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Transportation in Rhode Island

  • RIDOT – Public Transit Division — Rhode Island Department of Transportation transit programs and resources from the Capitol Hill office in Providence, including coordination
  • RIde Program – Paratransit — Door-to-door paratransit service for certified RIPTA RIde riders with disabilities across Rhode Island, with dispatch coordinated from the P
  • RIPTA – Kennedy Plaza Hub — RIPTA's Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence is the main transit hub connecting bus routes across Rhode Island, with real-time departure inf
  • MBTA Commuter Rail – Wickford Junction — MBTA Commuter Rail stop on Post Road in North Kingstown serving southern Rhode Island with service to Providence and Boston via the Providen

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.