Transportation in Washington

16 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 Washington

Washington superior courts handle family matters in each of its 39 counties. The Division of Child Support operates under DSHS. Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue are the major metros. Northwest Justice Project is the statewide LSC-funded program, with Snohomish County Legal Services, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Volunteer Legal Services, and King County Bar providing local support.

16 Resources

1. King County Metro Transit (Seattle) — Paid

Seattle's public transit system operating 175+ bus routes, RapidRide BRT corridors, and water taxi services across King County. Dads can plan trips using the Trip Planner on kingcounty.gov/metro or the One Bus Away app. Fares vary by service; ORCA card is the easiest way to pay and transfer between routes. ORCA LIFT reduced-fare cards are available for eligible low-income riders. Call 206-553-3000 for trip planning assistance or lost and found. Service hours vary by route; most operate daily.

206-553-3000 · 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

2. Sound Transit (Puget Sound Region) — Paid

Regional transit authority operating Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail, and ST Express buses connecting Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, and surrounding areas. Dads can plan trips using the Trip Planner at soundtransit.org or the Transit GO app. ORCA card is the recommended fare payment and works across all Sound Transit services. Monthly passes available for commuters. Call 1-888-889-6368 for trip planning help or customer service. Service hours vary by line; Link light rail runs daily from early morning to late night.

1-888-889-6368 · 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 · Service hours vary · Visit Website

3. Pierce Transit (Tacoma) — Paid

Tacoma's public transit system providing fixed-route bus, paratransit (SHUTTLE), and vanpool services across Pierce County. Dads can plan trips using the Trip Planner at piercetransit.org or the One Bus Away app. ORCA card is accepted for fare payment. Low-income reduced fare cards available for eligible riders. Paratransit SHUTTLE service is available for riders with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses. Call 253-581-8000 for route and schedule information or to inquire about paratransit eligibility.

253-581-8000 · 3701 96th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

4. Spokane Transit Authority (STA) — Paid

Spokane's public transit system operating fixed-route buses, paratransit (PARATRANSIT), and the Central City Line BRT across the Spokane metro area. Dads can plan trips using the Trip Planner at spokanetransit.com or the Transit app. Monthly passes and single-ride fares available; reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and qualifying low-income riders. Call 509-328-7433 for route and schedule info. The Central City Line connects Browne's Addition to East Spokane with frequent service.

509-328-7433 · 1230 W Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

5. C-TRAN (Clark County/Vancouver) — Paid

Clark County's public transit system providing fixed-route bus, paratransit, and express service to Portland from the Vancouver, WA area. Dads can plan trips at c-tran.com or use the One Bus Away app for real-time arrivals. ORCA card is accepted. Reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and qualifying low-income riders. C-VAN paratransit service is available for eligible riders. Call 360-695-0123 for route, schedule, and paratransit eligibility information. Service runs daily with varying hours by route.

360-695-0123 · 2425 NE 65th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98661 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

6. Community Transit (Snohomish County) — Paid

Snohomish County's public transit system with local and commuter bus routes, Swift BRT rapid transit, and paratransit (DART) connecting Everett, Lynnwood, and surrounding areas to Seattle. Dads can plan trips at communitytransit.org or use the One Bus Away app for real-time arrivals. ORCA card is accepted. Reduced fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and qualifying low-income riders. Call 425-353-7433 for route and schedule info or DART paratransit eligibility questions.

425-353-7433 · 7100 Hardeson Rd, Everett, WA 98203 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

7. Washington DOL (Licensing) — Paid

Washington's driver licensing agency handling driver's licenses, state ID cards, vehicle registration, and title transfers. Dads can renew a license, update an address, replace a lost ID, or register a vehicle online at dol.wa.gov for most transactions. In-person services are available at DOL offices statewide. Bring current ID, Social Security number or card, proof of residency, and payment. Call 360-902-3900 or visit dol.wa.gov to find the nearest office, check current wait times, and schedule an appointment.

360-902-3900 · Offices across Washington · Varies by location · Visit Website

8. Intercity Transit (Olympia) — Free

Thurston County's public transit system providing zero-fare (completely free) fixed-route bus and paratransit services in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area. Dads can ride any Intercity Transit bus at no charge — no fare card or ticket required. Plan trips using the Trip Planner at intercitytransit.com or the One Bus Away app for real-time arrivals. Access paratransit service is available for eligible riders with disabilities. Call 360-786-1881 for route, schedule, and Access paratransit eligibility information.

360-786-1881 · 526 Pattison St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

9. Yakima Transit — Paid

City of Yakima public transit system providing fixed-route bus and paratransit services across the Yakima urban area including Selah and Union Gap. Dads can plan trips using the route maps and schedules at yakimatransit.org. Fares are low and passes are available for frequent riders. Reduced fares for seniors and riders with disabilities. Dial-a-Ride paratransit service is available for eligible riders who cannot use fixed-route buses. Call 509-575-6175 for route and schedule information or paratransit eligibility inquiries.

509-575-6175 · 2301 S 1st St, Yakima, WA 98903 · Mon-Sat service hours vary · Visit Website

10. Ben Franklin Transit (Tri-Cities) — Paid

Public transit serving the Tri-Cities area (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) with fixed-route bus, paratransit (TRANSIT PLUS), and vanpool services. Dads can plan trips using the Trip Planner at bft.org or pick up route maps at major transit stops. Fares are low; monthly passes available. Paratransit service is available for eligible riders with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses. Call 509-735-5100 for route and schedule information, vanpool program details, or paratransit eligibility. Located at 1000 Columbia Park Trail, Richland.

509-735-5100 · 1000 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, WA 99352 · Mon-Sat service hours vary

11. Kitsap Transit — Paid

Kitsap County transit system providing bus, foot ferry, and paratransit services connecting Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Kingston, and surrounding communities. Dads can plan trips using the Trip Planner at kitsaptransit.com or the One Bus Away app. ORCA card is accepted. Fast Ferry service connects Bremerton and Port Orchard to Seattle. Paratransit service available for eligible riders. Reduced fares for seniors and riders with disabilities. Call 360-373-2877 for routes, schedules, ferry times, and paratransit eligibility.

360-373-2877 · 60 Washington Ave, Suite 200, Bremerton, WA 98337 · Service hours vary by route · Visit Website

12. Everett Transit — Paid

City of Everett public transit providing fixed-route bus service within Everett city limits with connections to Community Transit and Sound Transit for regional travel. Dads can plan local Everett trips using route maps at everetttransit.org or use the One Bus Away app for real-time arrivals. ORCA card is accepted for seamless transfers. Reduced fares for seniors and riders with disabilities. Call 425-257-7777 for route and schedule information. Located at 3201 Smith Ave, Suite 400, Everett. Service runs Mon-Sat.

425-257-7777 · 3201 Smith Ave, Suite 400, Everett, WA 98201 · Mon-Sat service hours vary · Visit Website

13. Whatcom Transportation Authority (Bellingham) — Free

Whatcom County public transit providing zero-fare fixed-route bus and paratransit services in the Bellingham area — free for all riders regardless of income. Dads can ride any WTA bus without paying a fare. Plan trips using the Trip Planner at ridewta.com or the One Bus Away app. Whatcom Transportation Authority PARATRANSIT is available for eligible riders with disabilities. Call 360-676-7433 for route and schedule information or paratransit eligibility questions. Located at 4111 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham. Service runs Mon-Sun.

360-676-7433 · 4111 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA 98226 · Mon-Sun service hours vary · Visit Website

14. ORCA Card (Regional Transit Pass) — Paid

Regional electronic fare card accepted on Metro, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Kitsap Transit, Everett Transit, and Washington State Ferries. Dads commuting across multiple systems benefit from automatic transfers and stored value. Purchase online at myorca.com, at transit centers, or at retailers. Register your card online to protect the balance if lost. Monthly passes for regular commuters can be loaded directly onto the card. Call 888-988-6722 for help with your account or a lost/stolen card.

888-988-6722 · Purchase online or at transit centers · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

15. ORCA LIFT (Reduced Fare Program) — Paid

Reduced-fare transit program for income-eligible King County residents providing discounted fares on Metro, Sound Transit, and other regional transit systems. Dads with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify. The ORCA LIFT card provides a reduced per-ride fare on participating systems. Apply at community partner organizations throughout King County — bring photo ID and proof of income such as a benefits letter or pay stub. Call 206-553-3000 or visit kingcounty.gov for application locations and eligibility details.

206-553-3000 · Apply at community organizations throughout King County · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Hopelink Transportation (King County) — Free

Nonprofit providing transportation services for low-income, disabled, and elderly King County residents to access medical appointments, employment, education, and essential services. Dads who need a ride to a medical appointment or job interview can contact Hopelink to arrange transportation. Services include volunteer driver programs and coordination with regional transit. Located at 8990 154th Ave NE, Redmond. Call 425-869-6000 or visit hopelink.org for details on eligibility, service area, and how to request a ride. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

425-869-6000 · 8990 154th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · 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.