CARTA – Charleston Area Transit

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 South Carolina

South Carolina family courts handle divorce, custody, and support in each of its 16 judicial circuits. The Child Support Services Division operates under the Department of Social Services. Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant are the largest cities. South Carolina Legal Services is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid program statewide.

More Transportation in South Carolina

• Greenlink – Greenville Transit — Public bus service in the Greenville area including routes useful for work commutes, custody exchanges, and appointments. Greenlink operates
• The COMET – Columbia Transit — Public bus system serving the Columbia metro area, used by fathers commuting to work, appointments, and custody exchanges. The COMET operate
• Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority — Public transit serving Florence, Darlington, and surrounding Pee Dee-area communities. PDRTA operates fixed routes and demand-response servi
• SC Department of Transportation – Transit — State transit programs and rural transportation assistance for South Carolina communities. SCDOT coordinates funding for local transit autho
• Waccamaw Regional Transit – Coast RTA — Public transit serving the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand area. Coast RTA operates fixed routes and paratransit from the 3rd Avenue hub in Co
• Santee Wateree Regional Transit Authority — Public transit serving Sumter, Clarendon, and surrounding counties with fixed routes and demand-response service. SWRTA operates from the So

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.