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 Vermont

11 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 Vermont

Vermont's Family Division of the Superior Court handles all family matters statewide. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DCF. Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland, and Essex are the largest towns. Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont (a nonprofit partner) provide civil legal aid, including a joint statewide Family Law helpline.

11 Resources

1. Marble Valley Regional Transit — Rutland — Paid

Public bus service (The Bus) connecting Rutland, Fair Haven, Castleton, and surrounding communities with fixed routes and ADA paratransit. Fathers can plan trips and buy passes online or at the W St terminal. Cash fares accepted on board; reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders with ID. Monthly passes save frequent riders money. Real-time updates available through the agency's app.

(802) 773-3244 · 170 W St, Rutland, VT 05701 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

2. Advance Transit — Upper Valley — Free

Fare-free bus service connecting Upper Valley towns in Vermont and New Hampshire including White River Junction, Hanover, and Lebanon. Fathers living or working in the Upper Valley can ride any route at no cost with no fare box or pass required. Routes run weekdays and Saturdays with connections to hospitals, colleges, and shopping. Real-time schedules and trip planning available on the Advance Transit website.

(802) 295-1824 · Upper Valley, VT · Mon-Sat 5:30am-7pm · Visit Website

3. Amtrak Vermonter — Paid

Daily passenger rail connecting Vermont cities including Essex Junction, Montpelier, Randolph, White River Junction, and Brattleboro with Springfield, New Haven, New York City, and Washington, DC. Fathers can book tickets online, by phone, or at staffed stations. Children under 2 ride free; discounts for kids, seniors, military, and students. Strollers, luggage, and small pets allowed with restrictions per Amtrak policy.

(800) 872-7245 · Multiple stations statewide · Daily service

4. Rural Community Transportation (RCT) — Paid

Public transit serving rural communities in Caledonia, Essex, Orleans, Lamoille, and parts of Washington and Orange Counties. Fathers can ride fixed routes or request demand-response trips for medical appointments, work, and errands. Call the St. Johnsbury Railroad St office to schedule or learn about routes. Reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicaid-eligible medical trips.

(802) 748-8170 · 422 Railroad St, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm

5. Franklin County Transit Authority — St. Albans — Paid

Local bus service (Green Mountain Transit) connecting St. Albans, Swanton, Highgate, and surrounding towns with fixed routes and commuter links to Burlington. Fathers can find schedules and buy passes online or at the Swanton Rd terminal. Cash fares accepted on board; reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and students. Monthly passes offer savings for frequent riders. Real-time updates via the GMT app.

(802) 527-2181 · 3 Swanton Rd, St. Albans, VT 05478 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website

6. Vermont Agency of Transportation — Ride Matching — Free

Free statewide carpool and rideshare matching program helping Vermont commuters find partners for shared rides to work. Fathers can register online through Go! Vermont to match with coworkers or neighbors traveling similar routes. The program also supports vanpools, transit, and biking resources. Participation can save gas, reduce emissions, and cut commute costs; incentives sometimes offered for new participants.

(802) 828-2657 · One National Life Dr, Montpelier, VT 05633 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm

7. Southeast Vermont Transit — MOOver — Paid

Public transit service (the MOOver) serving Brattleboro, Wilmington, and Windham County with fixed routes including free commuter service between Deerfield Valley and Brattleboro. Fathers can find schedules and fare information by calling the Flat St office or checking route maps online. Some routes are fare-free; others charge cash fares with reduced prices for seniors, disabled riders, and students.

(802) 254-6747 · 100 Flat St, Brattleboro, VT 05301 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm

8. Addison County Transit Resources (ACTR) — Paid

Public transit and demand-response transportation serving Addison County including Middlebury, Bristol, and Vergennes. Fathers can ride fixed routes or schedule rides through the Boardman St office. Medical transportation to Burlington and other hubs is available for eligible riders. Cash fares accepted on board; reduced prices for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicaid-eligible medical trips.

(802) 388-1946 · 228 Boardman St, Middlebury, VT 05753 · Mon-Fri 6am-7pm · Visit Website

9. Greyhound Bus — Vermont Stops — Paid

Intercity bus service with stops in Burlington, Montpelier, White River Junction, Brattleboro, and other Vermont cities, connecting travelers to Boston, New York, Montreal, and beyond. Fathers can book tickets online, by phone, or at staffed stations. Reduced fares for children, seniors, military, and students. Bring photo ID and arrive early for baggage check. The Burlington Pine St station is the main Vermont terminal.

(800) 231-2222 · 345 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401 · Daily service · Visit Website

10. Vermont Agency of Transportation — Mobility — Free

State-level coordination of transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities across Vermont, including ADA paratransit and Elders & Persons with Disabilities (E&D) funding for local providers. Fathers caring for aging parents or disabled family members can call the Montpelier office to learn about eligibility, local providers, and medical ride programs. Services are often free or low-cost for qualifying riders.

(802) 828-2657 · One National Life Dr, Montpelier, VT 05633 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. Vermont Gas Station Assistance — Emergency — Free

Emergency fuel vouchers and transportation assistance available through 211 Vermont and local community action agencies for families facing short-term crisis. Fathers needing gas money to get to work or a critical appointment can call 211 to be connected to the nearest agency. Bring photo ID, proof of the need (work schedule, medical appointment), and proof of income. Vouchers are limited and given based on availability.

211 · Statewide through local agencies · 24/7 referral line · 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.