Getting Around
What it is
Section titled “What it is”Buses, trains, rides, and other ways to travel — including from far-out rural places.
Why it helps you
Section titled “Why it helps you”You can’t reach a job, a clinic, or a friend you can’t get to. This is the key to the whole map.
Good to have first
Section titled “Good to have first”A Phone (helpful for maps and rides).
This opens up
Section titled “This opens up”Work, Health, Friends.
Where to get help
Section titled “Where to get help”Find the bus near you
Section titled “Find the bus near you”Most towns and many rural areas have some public transit. “Transit” means buses, trains, or shared vans anyone can ride.
- In a city or town, buses stop at marked signs. Look up your local transit agency’s website for maps and times. Map apps on a phone can also show bus routes.
- In the country, the “bus” may be a van you call a day or more ahead. Search for your county’s name and the word “transit.” Or ask 211.
- Paying: Many buses take cash, but the driver usually can’t make change. Bring the exact amount. A regular ride usually doesn’t need ID.
- Cheaper fares: Many transit agencies have lower fares for older adults, people with disabilities, and sometimes people with low income. Rules differ. Ask your transit agency about a “reduced fare.” These programs often ask for ID.
Help paying for rides
Section titled “Help paying for rides”211 (United Way) A free phone line that can tell you who gives out bus passes, gas cards, or rides where you live.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone in the United States
- How to start: Dial 2-1-1. Say, “I need help getting to work (or a doctor). Who gives out bus passes or rides near me?”
- Good to know: What’s available depends on your area. Some programs run out of money, so ask more than one place.
Community Action Partnership: Find a CAP A map of Community Action Agencies. These local nonprofits help people with low income. Some help with transportation, like bus passes or rides.
- Cost: Free to search. Their help is usually free.
- Who can use it: People with low income. Each agency sets its own rules.
- How to start: Search by ZIP code, county, or state. Call the agency and ask, “Do you help with bus passes or rides?”
- Good to know: Services differ a lot from place to place. They may ask about your income.
Rides to the doctor
Section titled “Rides to the doctor”Medicaid rides (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation) If you have Medicaid, it may give you a free ride to and from medical visits. Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with low income. These rides are called NEMT.
- Cost: Free for people who qualify
- Who can use it: People on Medicaid who have no other way to get to a Medicaid-covered visit. For example, you don’t have a working car or a driver’s license.
- How to start: Call the number on your Medicaid card, your health plan, or your state Medicaid office. Ask, “How do I set up a ride to my appointment?”
- Good to know: Rules differ by state. You must set up the ride ahead of time. The ride can only take you to the medical visit and back home. Rides might be a bus pass, a van, a taxi, or a car.
American Cancer Society: Road To Recovery Free rides from volunteer drivers to cancer treatment.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: People going to a cancer-related medical visit
- How to start: Call 1-800-227-2345 and ask if rides are available where you live.
- Good to know: Not available everywhere. It can take several business days to set up a ride, so call well ahead.
DAV Transportation Network Free rides for veterans to VA medical centers, driven by volunteers.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Veterans going to VA medical care
- How to start: Find the Hospital Service Coordinator for your VA on DAV’s website, or ask at your VA hospital.
- Good to know: Not every area has drivers. Plan ahead.
A long trip to safety
Section titled “A long trip to safety”National Runaway Safeline: Home Free A free Greyhound bus ticket for young people to get to family or another safe place.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Ages 12 to 21 who are away from home, have no safe way back, and are ready to go to family or a safe adult who agrees to help. It can also be a safe program, like a youth housing program.
- How to start: Call 1-800-786-2929 (1-800-RUNAWAY). It’s open 24/7.
- Good to know: A counselor talks with you first to see if you qualify.
If you are an adult leaving someone who hurts you, a domestic violence program may be able to help with travel. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. Ask about help getting to a shelter.
If you only do one thing first
Section titled “If you only do one thing first”Dial 2-1-1 and say where you need to go. Ask who helps with bus passes, gas cards, or rides near you. If the trip is to a doctor and you have Medicaid, also call the number on your Medicaid card.
Watch out for
Section titled “Watch out for”- Ride offers inside airports and stations. Don’t take a ride from someone who walks up and offers one. Use the official taxi line, or a ride app where you can match the license plate.
- Fake QR codes. Scammers stick fake codes on parking meters and bus stops. They lead to sites that steal card numbers. Pay with cash or with the transit agency’s own app.
- “Buy Here, Pay Here” car lots. These lots sell cars on payment plans, often at very high interest. Some can shut off or take back the car fast if you miss a payment. Read every page before you sign. A credit union may be a safer place to ask about a car loan.
- Using a Medicaid ride for errands. The ride can only go to the medical visit and back. Using it for other stops can be treated as stealing from Medicaid.