Texas Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP)

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 Texas

Texas district courts hear family matters across its 254 counties, with many urban counties operating dedicated family courts. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division runs enforcement statewide. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth are the largest metros. Texas Legal Services Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid cover the state.

More Transportation in Texas

• DART — Dallas Area Rapid Transit — One of the largest light rail networks in the US serving Dallas and 12 surrounding cities. Light rail, bus, commuter rail, and on-demand GoL
• METRO Houston — Buses, METRORail light rail, commuter buses, and METROLift paratransit across greater Houston. Reduced fares for income-qualified riders and
• VIA Metropolitan Transit — San Antonio — Bus routes, VIA Link on-demand service, and VIAtrans paratransit for Bexar County in San Antonio. Reduced fares for seniors and persons with
• Capital Metro — Austin & Central Texas — Bus, MetroRail commuter rail, MetroRapid, and Pickup on-demand transit for Austin and surrounding Central Texas communities. Capital Metro A
• STAR Transit — Dallas/Kaufman/Rockwall Counties — Public bus and dial-a-ride service for Mesquite, Balch Springs, Seagoville, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties in the Dallas suburbs. Affordable
• Texas Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — Free transportation to and from covered healthcare appointments for eligible Texas Medicaid members who have no other means of getting to ca

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.