Amtrak – Cardinal Route

Transportation · West Virginia · Paid

National passenger rail service operating the Cardinal route across West Virginia with stops including Charleston, Huntington, White Sulphur Springs, and Prince. Fares, schedules, and accessibility information are available by phone or on Amtrak's website. Fathers traveling for family visits, court appointments, or work can book tickets online; arrive early with photo ID and check train-specific luggage and boarding requirements before travel.

Contact & Details

Phone: 800-872-7245

Hours: Varies by schedule

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 West Virginia

West Virginia Family Court is a statewide unified system handling divorce, custody, and child support. The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement operates under DHHR. Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Morgantown are the largest cities. Legal Aid of West Virginia is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Transportation in West Virginia

  • KRT – Kanawha Valley Transit — Public bus service for Charleston, South Charleston, and the surrounding Kanawha Valley. Offers fixed-route service, paratransit for riders
  • TTA – Tri-State Transit – Huntington — Public bus service for Huntington and the Tri-State area, including Cabell and Wayne counties. Offers fixed routes, paratransit, and reduced
  • Mountain Line Transit – Morgantown — Public bus service for Morgantown and surrounding Monongalia County, also serving WVU students and commuters. Offers fixed-route service, pa
  • Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority — Public transit service for Martinsburg and Berkeley County, providing fixed-route and demand-response transportation for commuters, seniors,
  • WV DOT – Public Transit Division — Division of the West Virginia Department of Transportation that oversees state transit programs, rural transportation grants, and coordinati
  • OVRTA – Mid-Ohio Valley Transit — Public transit service for the Parkersburg area and surrounding Mid-Ohio Valley. Provides fixed-route and demand-response service for commut

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.